The Maine Human Rights Commission has found that both the Auburn Housing Authority and one of its employees discriminated against a Black tenant last year.
Dominique Deschaine contended that during a disagreement stemming from a water leak, a housing authority worker told her to shut up, and used a racist phrase. One of the commissioners, Jeff Ashby, called the comment reprehensible.
"And is in fact severe enough to meet the obligation to show a hostile environment," he said,
The Commission found the Auburn Housing Authority at fault for failing to discipline the worker. An attorney representing the Housing Authority had argued that one comment didn't constitute discrimination.
