A Minnesota jury found home seller Chadwick Banken liable for violating the Minnesota Human Rights Act by targeting Muslim homebuyers in a deceptive contract for deed scheme. The scheme involved inflated prices, large down payments, and balloon payments designed to cause defaults, allowing Banken to keep payments and resell properties. Remedies including restitution will be determined at a later hearing.
The jury found Banken liable; the court will determine remedies, including restitution to victims, at a future hearing.
In-house legal teams should review real estate purchase agreements, especially contracts for deed, for terms that could be deemed predatory or discriminatory. Key clauses to examine include balloon payment provisions, default and forfeiture terms, down payment requirements, and any marketing or targeting based on religion. Vendor agreements with real estate agents or brokers should include anti-discrimination and fair lending compliance obligations. Customer-facing contracts should ensure clear disclosure of all terms and avoid hidden fees or unfair cancellation policies.
Entity
Chadwick Banken
Industry
Real Estate"Chadwick Banken"
"Minnesota Human Rights Act"
"Consumer Financial Protection Act"
"Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act"
"Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act"
"targeting Muslim homebuyers in his deceptive and unlawful contract for deed scheme"
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a consumer-protection lawsuit alleging that L’Oréal and its subsidiaries marketed chemical hair relaxers as safe while concealing cancer risks, particularly from Black women and girls. The state seeks civil penalties, consumer restitution, and an injunction requiring adequate health-risk warnings; these are requested remedies, not an outcome reported in the release.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief opposing the federal government’s lawsuit concerning California’s voter rolls. The press release describes election litigation and does not announce a privacy enforcement action, penalty, or remedy.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison released an election incident reporting form and updated guidance concerning intimidation, deceptive election information, and deepfakes. The release invites reports and says the Office may investigate matters that may violate Minnesota law; it does not announce a settlement, penalty, or other enforcement remedy.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued a consumer alert explaining how veterans, their families, and others who believe Trajector Holdings owes them money can file claims in the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The release announces no privacy violation, enforcement penalty, or remedy against the company.
Minnesota and 39 other attorneys general filed a notice in Character Technologies, Inc.’s bankruptcy proceedings raising concerns about the company’s safety and privacy practices and the sensitive information it holds, including children’s private chatbot conversations. The states seek protections for consumers in any sale or transfer of the business or assets; the filing does not impose a penalty or establish a final remedy.
The Minnesota Attorney General filed an Assurance of Discontinuance requiring Auto Tech Donations, Inc. to dissolve after finding that its solicitations and governance did not comply with state requirements. Its president was banned from forming or serving as an officer or director of nonprofits and must provide restitution to donors whose vehicles he resold for personal benefit.