Federal court dismisses NAACP lawsuit against city of LaGrange

A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit filed in May 2017 by the NAACP and others against the city of LaGrange regarding utility billing practices. Judge Timothy C. Batten Sr., ruled the complaint against the city failed to state a claim for which relief could be granted under the Fair Housing Act.

The lawsuit challenged policies of the city relating to the addition of court fines and fees to utility billing accounts and the requirement of social security numbers for opening utility accounts.

“These policies have been in place for many years,” said Mayor Jim Thornton, “and while it is certainly within the purview of the mayor and Council to modify those policies as needed, the judge’s ruling affirms that these policies do not violate federal law.”