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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

City of East Mountain, mayor sued by Gregg County resident

A Gregg County resident is suing over claims of discrimination and retaliation.


Kenneth C. Miller and Secluded Acres LLC filed a lawsuit Feb. 17 in the Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas against the city of East Mountain and Neal Coulter, citing violation of the Fair Housing Act, violation of section 1982, violation of section 1981, violation of Equal Protection Clause and trespass. 

According to the complaint, in February 2013, Miller asked the city of East Mountain for water service to his property and East Mountain holds the Certificate of Convenience and Necessity.

The plaintiff says he applied for a water meter to receive drinking water from the city and to provide hookups for recreational vehicles on his property that housed workers.

The complaint states East Mountain denied the plaintiff's request for water and had no legal basis for the denial.

The plaintiff contends the real reason the city denied Miller’s application for water was due to the race, nationality, or ethnicity of the laborers who would live in the temporary work camp.

In addition, Coulter was photographed trespassing on Miller’s land and placing a sign depicting rifle crosshairs across the road from Miller’s land and near the entrance to the RV Park, according to the complaint.

Miller alleges the defendants have targeted him, his ranch hands, his clients and the residents of his RV park, resulting in a chilling effect on Miller and his business.

Miller is seeking actual damages, injunctive relief, punitive damages, costs, interest and fees. The plaintiff is being represented in the case by attorney Gregory S. Porter of Porter Law Firm PC.

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Case No. 2:14-cv-00087-JRG-RSP

 

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.

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