STATE OF FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS

ROLSTAN AND LETITIA HODGE, HUD Case No. 04-14-0048-8

Petitioners, FCHR Case No. 2014H0082

v. DOAH No. 14-0437

WATSON REALITY, INC., FCHR Order No. 14-049

Respondent.

/

FINAL ORDER DISMISSING PETITIO N FOR

RELIE F FROM A DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTIC E

Preliminary Matters

Petitioners Rolstan and Letitia Hodge filed a housing discrimination complaint pursuant to the Fair Housing Act, Sections 760.20 - 760.37, Florida Statutes

alleging that Respondent Watson Realty, Inc., committed a discriminatory housing practice on the bases of Petitioners' race (African American) and familial status by refusing to rent Petitioners a home.

The allegations set forth in the complaint were investigated, and, on December

the Executive Director issued a determination finding that there was no reasonable cause to believe that a discriminatory housing practice had occurred.

Petitioners filed a Petition for Relief from a Discriminatory Housing Practice and the case was transmitted to the Division of Administrative Hearings for the conduct of a formal proceeding.

An evidentiary hearing was held in Jacksonville, Florida, on July 8, before Administrative Law Judge Suzanne Van Wyk.

Judge Van Wyk issued a Recommended Order of dismissal, dated September 25,

2014.

The Commission panel designated below considered the record of this matter and

determined the action to be taken on the Recommended Order.

Findings of Fact

We the Administrative Law Judge's findings of fact to be supported by competent substantial evidence.

We adopt the Administrative Law Judge's findings of fact.

Filed December 10, 2014 2:08 PM Division of Administrative Hearings

FCHR Order No. 14-049

Page 2

Conclusions of Law

We the Administrative Law Judge's application of the law to the facts to result in a correct disposition of the matter.

We adopt the Administrative Law Judge's conclusions of law.

Exceptions

None of the parties filed exceptions to the Administrative Law Judge's Recommended Order.

Dismissal

The Petition for Relief and Housing Discrimination Complaint are DISMISSED with prejudice.

The parties have the right to seek judicial review of this Order. The Commission and the appropriate District Court of Appeal must receive notice of appeal within 30 days of the date this Order is filed with the Clerk of the Commission. Explanation of the right to appeal is found in Section 120.68, Florida Statutes, and in the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure

DONE AND ORDERED this day of 2014.

FOR THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS:

Commissioner Gilbert M . Singer, Panel Chairperson; Commissioner Donna and

Commissioner Tony Jenkins

Filed this of in Tallahassee, Florida.

Clerk

Commission on Human Relations 2009 Apalachee Parkway, Suite Tallahassee, FL 32301

FCHR Order No. 14-049 3

Copies furnished to:

Rolstan and Letitia Hodge c/o Jamison Jessup

557 Noremac Avenue Deltona, FL

Watson Realty, Inc.

c/o William J. Bosch, Esq. Conner Bosch Law,

4488 North Oceanshore Boulevard Palm FL 32137

Watson Realty, Inc.

c/o Robert Warren Schupp, Esq. Robert W. Schupp, P.A.

9745 Touchton Road, Unit 2803

Jacksonville, FL 32246

Suzanne Van Wyk, Administrative Law Judge, DOAH James Mallue, Legal Advisor for Commission Panel

I HEREBY that a copy foregoing has been mailed to the above

By:

Clerk of

Florida Commission on Human Relations

Docket for Case No: 14-000437

Orders for Case No: 14-000437