Goddard Files Fair Housing Lawsuit against Colorado City for Civil Rights Violations

(Phoenix, Ariz. - June 25, 2010) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against the Town of Colorado City, Arizona, the City of Hildale, Utah, Hildale-Colorado City Utilities, Twin City Water Authority, and Twin City Power for alleged violations of the Arizona Fair Housing Act.

The suit follows an investigation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division, which concluded that there is reasonable cause to believe that the Defendants discriminated against Colorado City resident Ronald Cooke by not providing water and other utility services because of his religion and by not accommodating his disability. Mr. Cooke is a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (“FLDS”).

The Arizona Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in most housing related transactions. People who believe that their civil rights have been violated should contact the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division for assistance in filing a complaint. Individuals wishing to file a civil rights complaint may call a statewide toll-free number at 1.877.491.5742 or visit www.azag.org. You may also submit an online complaint or find the nearest satellite office to speak to a community volunteer.

Attached is a copy of the complaint. For more information, contact Press Secretary Molly Edwards at 602.542.8019.

Complaint1.62 MB