Pubdate: Thu, 26 Sep 2002
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2002, The Tribune Co.
Contact:  http://www.tampatrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446
Author: Shannon Behnken

EVICT PUBLIC HOUSING ACTIVIST FOR VIOLATING LEASE, JURY SAYS

TAMPA - Activist Connie Burton should be evicted from public housing 
because her 23-year-old son sold drugs there three years ago, a 
Hillsborough County jury ruled Wednesday. The Tampa Housing Authority has 
been trying to oust Burton since Narada Burton was arrested in April 1999 
for selling marijuana to an undercover police officer in Robles Park.

"I expected it," Burton said after the trial. "We are treated wrong as 
citizens of public housing. Never once did they say I did anything wrong. 
Never once did they say I sold any drugs. But I have to pay."

The housing authority says Burton violated her lease under the federal 
government's "one strike and you're out" drug policy for low-income housing 
complexes. The policy allows landlords to evict a tenant if any member of 
the household, or a guest, is caught with illegal drugs - even if the 
tenant was unaware of the crime.

The Tampa Housing Authority has evicted about 50 residents under the policy 
since it went into effect in 1996. Burton's case is the first to go to trial.

Burton, president of the Robles Park tenant's association, says the policy 
"punishes the wrong people," and that her eviction was retaliation because 
she criticizes the housing authority at public meetings and on her call-in 
show on WMNF, 88.5 FM.

Burton, who has lived in the apartment rent-free, has fought eviction in 
court for three years. She challenged the constitutionality of the law in 
federal court, but U.S. District Court Judge Richard Lazzara in 2000 ruled 
the law was constitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law in March.

Many of Burton's 60 supporters cried as the verdict was read.

"This reinforces my belief that our government is unjust," said Njemile 
Zakiya, Burton's friend.

The central point in the housing authority's case against Burton was 
whether her son lived with her when he was arrested in April 1999. Burton 
testified he had not lived with her since 1997.

Narada Burton's ex-girlfriend testified Wednesday that he lived with her 
until after his arrest. However, attorneys for the housing authority say he 
was listed on his mother's lease. Narada Burton was convicted in the 
marijuana case and sentenced to 20 months in jail.

But Burton testified that housing authority employees coerced her into 
adding her son back to her lease in 1998 when they told her they would fire 
him if she didn't. He was enrolled in an employment program that required 
participants to live in Robles Park.

Guy Burns, Burton's attorney, said he represented six women whose sons were 
also arrested for drugs. They were allowed to stay, he told the jury. Burns 
said Burton may appeal the verdict.

When Burton returned to her apartment Wednesday, about 10 people filled her 
living room, asking her how to run the tenants association without her.

"What good has this done?" Loraine Wright said. "Now you've got angry, 
frustrated people with no leadership. This ain't gonna get the drugs out."

Frazier Carraway, attorney for the housing authority, said Burton might 
have to move out today. Jerome Ryans, executive director of the housing 
authority, is expected to make a decision this week.

Burton said she has no money and no place to go.

"I'm homeless," she said. "This is the validation [the authority] has been 
looking for; this is validation for them to kick more people out.

"But I won't leave quietly. The housing authority won't make me stop 
fighting for the people in Robles Park."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens