Dec 3, 2024
Today, our firm filed an important breach of contract and civil rights lawsuit against Iverson Pak Development, LLC, the owner of Iverson Mall in Temple Hills, Maryland, for allegedly engaging in discriminatory practices that prevented our clients from operating their children's entertainment business, The Playground at the Playhouse.
The lawsuit alleges that since March 2023, the Defendant repeatedly refused to provide standard fire safety documentation that our clients needed to obtain their Use and Occupancy Permit. Despite providing the same documentation to assist other non-Black business tenants, the Defendant's actions effectively blocked our clients from opening their business after they had invested over $48,000 in renovations and improvements.
"Commercial landlords cannot selectively choose which tenants receive assistance based on race," said Managing Attorney Jordan D. Howlette. "Our clients simply wanted to operate a family-friendly business serving their community, in accordance with their lease agreement, but instead faced unconscionable obstacles that appear to be racially motivated."
The lawsuit seeks compensatory for breach of contract, fraudulent misrepresentation, and negligence, and it seeks punitive damages for racial discrimination in violation of federal civil rights law.