Stearns v. Fair Employment Practice Commission

Opinion

TOBRINER, J.

When Ernest Cooper, a Negro, sought to rent an apartment from Val Stearns, Stearns required Cooper to complete a credit application and submit to a credit investigation before the apartment could be rented. Three hours after Steams dealt with Cooper, a Caucasian sought the same apartment. Stearns solicited an immediate deposit but required no credit check, offering the Caucasian occupancy as soon as the apartment could be cleaned. On the basis of these facts, the Fair Employment Practice Commission (FEPC) found that Stearns discriminated against Cooper on the grounds of…