HARRISBURG, PA – Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced a settlement reached with a Shippensburg landlord, John Timothy Gruver, and his associates, who were accused of discriminating against a Black family.
The landlord was fined $90,000 and will be required to undergo fair housing training provided by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC).
The lawsuit was filed after the landlords allegedly revoked the lease of the complainant, a Black grandmother, due to racial bias and concerns over a grandchild’s legal history.
On her move-in date, the complainant found a “No Trespassing” sign on her door, naming her by name. Furthermore, she was reportedly racially harassed by the landlords’ son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Kelly Gruver.
The complaint was filed with the Office of Attorney General in May 2020, during the initial months of the pandemic shutdown. Following the settlement, the Gruvers and their affiliates, including Ridgway Real Estate, are required to adhere to fair housing policies in addition to the financial penalty.
