Miscellaneous

Judge Slams Justice

By Anne Skove, Esq.

How does a federal judge like to learn about the status of a settlement agreement?

Here's a hint: she does not want to read about it on the front page.

U.S. Judge Susan Dlott slammed the DOJ during a major fair housing case before her for telling the press that a settlement had been approved. It had not. Moreover, the DOJ overstated the terms, claiming that sexually harassed tenants would receive up to $1 million from their former landlord.

Law firms love to do it, the media loves to print them, but over-stating settlements are detrimental to the system on many levels. The practice overpromises to unsuspecting parties, artificially ramps up settlements in other cases, contributes to urban legal legends, and perpetuates incorrect facts.

Meanwhile, if you're wondering whether fair housing still matters, take a look at the facts in this case. This defendant may be judgment-free but he ain't an angel, either. Sex for housing is not fair housing, and on that point the DOJ was absolutely correct.

See Judge Rips US Lawyers, Gregory Korte, Cincinnati Enquirer (September 19, 2008).

Full post as published by court-o-rama.org on September 19, 2008 (boomark / email).