(DAPHNE, Ala.) September 23 - The couple who owns the 'Pina's Mobile Home Park" says they don't keep kids from living there, but they do restrict the numbers, and the federal government says that's discrimination.
Pina Witherington, for whom the park is named, allowed Local 15 into her home, but had nothing to say about the settlement for a discrimination lawsuit against her and her husband.
"You need to talk to my lawyer, I have noting to say," said Pina.
The lawyer didn't call Local 15 back, but here's what Pina's husband, Arthur says.
When Local 15 Reporter Mike Rush said, "They say basically that was discrimination against people." Arthur responded, "Well, that's what they say."
The Justice Department claims the Witherington's turned away a potential renter in 2006 because she had three children, which is a violation of the Fair Housing Act.
"We allowed two children, but we didn't allow more than two," said Arthur. "It's been our rule for years, 36 years." Arthur went on to say, "Because you get too many kids in the park and you can't control them."
"They're nice people. They're good people," says Debbie Done, who has two kids of her own and rents from the Witheringtons. She believes they did the right thing. "It's wrong that they have to pay like that, that much money."
According to the settlement, the couple will have to pay a little more than one hundred thousand dollars to those considered victims of discrimination, and 30-thousand to the government as a civil penalty.
The lawsuit also claimed the couple charged tenants with children an additional fee for the children.
