ALEXANDRIA, Va. (WAVY)  – PRG Real Estate Management and several related entities have agreed to pay up to $1.59 million to resolve allegations of violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

The companies are in hot water for obtaining unlawful court judgments against military tenants and for charging improper lease termination fees.

“The incredible sacrifices our servicemembers make when they deploy and move frequently should never create financial or legal hardships for them,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. 

This settlement is the largest ever obtained by the Department of Justice against a landlord or property management company for violations of the SCRA.

The servicemembers who will receive compensation under this settlement were tenants at the following properties:

•           Linkhorn Bay Apartments – Virginia Beach;

•           The Courtyards of Chanticleer – Virginia Beach;

•           Hilton Village Townhomes – Newport News;

•           Heritage Trace Apartments – Newport News;

•           Hyde Park Apartments – Chester; and

•           Ashton Creek – Chester.

Servicemembers and their dependents who believe that their rights under the SCRA have been violated should contact the nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program Office. 

The civil claims settled are allegations only; there has been no determination of civil liability.