U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Update

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Federal Court Terminates Consent Decree Regarding the New Orleans Police Department After Successful Reforms

11/19/2025 07:00 AM EST

Today, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana terminated the consent decree covering the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), marking the end of federal court oversight under the 2013 decree. The Justice Department and the City of New Orleans jointly moved to terminate the consent decree based on NOPD's successful implementation of reforms related to use of force; crisis intervention; stops, searches, and arrests; and other areas.

Justice Department Sues Former Property Owner for Sexual Harassment Committed by Former Owner and Manager of Arkansas Rental Apartment Complex

11/18/2025 07:00 AM EST

The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Thomas Ray Kelso, the former owner and manager of rental properties formerly known as Briarwood Apartments in Searcy, Arkansas, for engaging in sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act. The lawsuit also names as a defendant Avatar Investments LLC, which owned the rental properties during Kelso's management and sexual harassment of female tenants.

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