Lakeland mobile home park sued for discrimination

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the owner and managers of the May Grove Village Mobile Home Park in Lakeland, alleging that they discriminated against black buyers in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

The lawsuit against James C. Goss, May Grove's owner, and managers Joey Gwozdz and Cathy Plante marks the third such case the department has filed against mobile home owners or operators in the federal Middle District of Florida this year.

The action in U.S. District Court contends that potential black mobile home buyers in the 81-lot park were told either no homes or very few homes were available for purchase, at a time when white buyers were told an ample number of homes were available.