US

Veteran Claims Anti-War Landlady Refused to Rent Him an Apartment Because of His Military Service

National Guard Sgt. Joel Morgan Allegedly Refused Apartment by Janice Roberts in Boston Because of Veteran Status | Afghanistan and Iraq Wars

(Photo: John Wilcox / Boston Herald)

A Boston-area landlady is under fire after she allegedly refused to rent out an apartment to a veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, because of her anti-war political beliefs.

In a voicemail dated to April 9, played for the Boston Herald in the presence of the veteran’s lawyer, 63-year-old Janice Roberts reportedly said: “It just is not going to be comfortable for us without a doubt. It probably would be better for you to look for a place that is a little bit less politically active and controversial,” adding, “We are very adamant about our political beliefs.”

Sgt. Joel Morgan, who served in the National Guard, explained: “For her to do that to me, it was like a spit in the face…For what we have gone through overseas, to come home to our country and have people … discriminate against us. … It made me extremely insecure about being a soldier.”

Morgan has decided to sue Roberts, and his lawyer Joseph Sulman commented: “It’s illegal…but also just unconscionable. It’s something any American should be embarrassed about.”

The Boston Herald was in contact with Roberts, and she claims:

…Morgan was one of 30 people who inquired about the apartment. “We had to choose somebody,” she said, declining to take further questions. But she authorized Sulman to release to the Herald a 16-page “response” she sent the lawyer dated May 23, in which she stated Morgan never filled out a rental application. Morgan said he took a rental form but decided not to return it after hearing her voicemail. She also cited questions about his ability to pay the rent, what roommates he would have, whether he had issues with a prior landlord, and whether he had been racially insensitive when he mentioned a noise complaint he had with his prior neighbors, who were black. Morgan denied any racist intent in the remark.

Roberts wrote…“This bodes the question, ‘Why would someone like Joel Morgan, who apparently fought so valiently (sic) in wars in which he believed, want to even choose to subject himself to renting an apartment from people — like myself — who were so vigorously seeking an end to the Iraq War??’

“There was never any mention to Morgan that his being a veteran would impede his chances to rent from us. If anything, he was a victim of U.S. greed, and for that, I feel much empathy.”

See Fox News’ interview with Morgan, below:

Morgan is a divorced father of a 19-month-old son who not only served combat tours in Iraq in both 2007 and 2008, but also served in Afghanistan last year and in Guantanamo Bay in 2003, according to the Herald.

“Almost every time I’m in uniform and I walk past a child, they salute,” Morgan said with a grin, adding that the interaction with the landlady “didn’t take away [his] pride of being a soldier for the United States.”

“I’ll hold onto that until I die,” he said.

Comments (96)

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  • rpp
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:53pm

    She made allegations of racism. Well, I will say this. What is a racist? A person who is winning an argument with a liberal.

    Report Post » rpp  
    • lukerw
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 2:25pm

      Exactly!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Ahcma
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 2:26pm

      Actually, a racist, bigot, idiot, etc is the one commenting on it. That‘s why the liberals who don’t have an answer to a question always says the question is racist, or the statement is racist. They are the racists as they focus everything on it. You can‘t be a racist if it’s not part of your language (but one can be an idiot).

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 2:47pm

      @AH…
      You cannot be a Racist… if you drive a Prius… eat Vegies… Protest… are Gay, and, or, Atheist… or are a Socialist, taking away other people’s money… or think that you Highly Intelligent!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 2:59pm

      The only thing worse than her is a landlord on crack, ” got my rent money?, a $ 20 will do 4 now “, knock, knock , ” Got my rent money , ? a $ 20 will do “

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
    • THE MAD TACO
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 3:15pm

      Ha Ha Ha Minty hahahahahahahahahaha that will make me laugh all day ahahahahaha~

      Report Post »  
    • zorro
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 5:04pm

      If they played the voicemail to the newspaper, why isn’t there a link to the full transcript? On the small portion they have printed, she never says it’s because he was a soldier but because of political differences. I didn’t see anti-war, anti-servicemen or anything else. I’m not sure how people are jumping to such bold conclusions.

      Report Post »  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:51pm

    Maybe this guy should do what the left would do..send a black soldier to rent the same apartment and see what happens? It would be interesting to see.

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:49pm

    Wow! That’ll cost that idiot. Take her to the cleaners….

    Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 6:50pm

      Young Man – In past wars, the US always sent it very best. You are a testament that History repeats itself. You are proof that America sent it’s very best to Iraq and Afghanistan. America, owes you and your fellow Service Men and Women a huge debt of appreciation. Thank you for your service! God Bless You.

      Report Post » db321  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:48pm

    Sgt. Joel Morgan is smoking hot and a hero. What a tool this lady is. I own a property management co and Joel if you loved in the greater seattle area we would gladly lease you a property we have several gorgeous homes and condos available now…well maybe not my husband if he saw the smoking hot comment but we would gladly lease you one of our available properties. Boston landowners step up and property management companies too.

    Report Post »  
  • shakedowncrews
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:48pm

    Hey as a Libertarian kind of guy, I tend to think: it’s her property, she can rent it out to whomever she pleases.
    The thing that ****** me off is that if a conservative refused to rent to a ******* he’d get sued. As usual, they see their bias as “justified” and everyone else’s as “bigoted”.

    Report Post » shakedowncrews  
    • db321
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 9:35pm

      Hey Shakedowncrews. Be honest for once in your life. Your not a Libertarian – you vote in the Republican Primaries for who ever but on election day you light the candle for Obama as long as he promises you something for nothing. Your a mooch – you want something for free and your willing to take from others.

      Not sure in your post who Conservatives are afraid to rent too, because of your liberal toxic tongue the Blaze had to edit your post. Take a deep breath, and calmly rewrite your post so we can understand the mind of a fool!

      Report Post » db321  
  • FreedbyTruth
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:44pm

    I love the reply here, she claims she was not discriminating, but wonders why he would even want to live here. Isn’t that the same type of tactic that used to be used against minorities that wanted to move into “white” neighborhoods? We do not accept that kind of crap for minorities and we Most Definitely should Not accept it toward our military.

    Report Post »  
  • NineteenEighty4
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:43pm

    Like many Americans, I am opposed to our military presence abroad. I don’t think our soldiers are heroes. I don‘t think they’re fighting for our freedoms. That said, this is despicable behavior. You can hate the war, a lot of us do. You have to separate the war from the soldiers. They have been hijacked by warhawks and profiteers. No one deserves this type of treatment from fellow Americans. They aren’t heroes, but they’re still people worthy of respect.

    Report Post »  
    • MarkL
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:55pm

      So, you just wanted to publicly admit that you are an ignorant brainwashed useful idiot traitor?

      I truly pity you. How can you even live with yourself. You should move to another country, America is not the right one for you to be living in.

      Report Post »  
    • HowardSternIsABigot
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 7:37am

      Its totally unimportant what you think the motives of the troops is. Self absorbed nit wit, the heroism is in their souls, not your dimly informed opinion. Cowards often cling to the belief they can judge others heroism.

      Report Post »  
    • AverageJoe73
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 11:08am

      Man people just dont get it… Speaking as someone who served in the MarineCorps, you join the military for various reasons. I didnt join to be a war hero or protect the freedoms of my fellow Americans, I joined to get away from my crappy low rent life in no where USA. Does that make me a hero no, are all American Servicemen Heros? thats debatable… but there are true heros in uniform today… those are they Guys that put their ass on the line every day over in the warzones, not trying to make sure we kill the ‘evil terrorist’ or ‘build a better country for some middle eastern guy’, but just for the fact they are covering their buddy’s butt and trying to make sure the other guys in his unit get back home to their families and loved ones… those guys are the true heros…

      And just a parting quote
      “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other guy die for his.”
      ― George S. Patton Jr.

      Report Post »  
  • kaptainkaffir
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:36pm

    Right or wrong, her property= her rules. That being said, Sgt. Morgan volunteered to serve his country, and possibly give his life, to protect her right to be an ungrateful beeatch.
    Instead of suing, why not plaster the airwaves, facebook, and whatever public media with this story, and humiliate the whole lot of them. Better yet, give them some of their own medicine. Get a bunch of your brothers and sisters in arms and stage a protest. I’d be willing to bet that if he were a “gay” sevice member, he wouldn’t have a problem.
    HOOAH!! Sgt. Morgan, whatever you do, I got your 6.

    IF YOU CAN’T STAND BEHIND OUR MILITARY, THEN PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • rickc34
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 2:20pm

      I know a few people I would like to see stand in front of our men and woman of the military. Mr. President stand right here please. God Bless Our Military and thank you.

      Report Post »  
    • D
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 10:03am

      Under the Fair Housing Act, he is not under a “protected class” such as religion, race, etc… However, you got the idea for plastering the airwaves / social media. Not renting because of finding a better qualified renter is standard practice for most property management offices. Credit rating, income, past rental history all go into play. Not occupation, but any lawyer with a new Mercedes can find a good argument for anything and get a win usually. Go get’em Sergeant!

      Report Post »  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:36pm

    The funny thing is that if I did that as a landlord to any “minority” I would be sued for sure! The left here PAYS to train phony renters to go to apartments for rent with several kids in tow. They pretend to be single parents or immigrants or whatever, and give phony stories about their situations. If the landlord rents to somene more desirable, they then SUE. It’s entrapment, if you ask me. As a landlord, I want to get the BEST tenant who will pay, period. When you they have children you can never get them OUT for just that reason when they don’t pay. We have lost SO MUCH rent over the last ten years, it’s not even funny. Renters have it really tough these days not being able to even screen their OWN TENANTS. She should feel blessed to have a PAYING TENANT like this guy. I would take this single soldier WITH money any day!

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • anna logan
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 9:12pm

      Equal Justice,

      I am a lady alone with two sons in private christian school. I do not go for the shacking up or men over night garbage. I have a very good job in a hospital, and have never been on the dole. I am very conservative and I vote that way. My sons are mixed race and they are also conservative and on their way to constructive futures. By the way, I ALWAYS PAY, rent, mortgage, utility bills etc. I just wanted to let you know, not all single ladies with children are poor stupid broke single mothers regardless of your ignorant view of them.

      Report Post »  
    • anna logan
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 9:21pm

      One more thing, when I did rent to others, I had 4 single white women who I rented to (no one else applied) The one who had the daughter was the best and most respectful renter and never tried to get out of paying. The rest did. Single women with jobs and no children who were not respectful or tried to get out of paying for the two weeks they went on vacation, or just decided they wanted to go back home and left their things for two months before they came to get them. Things are not always as they seem on the surface.

      Report Post »  
  • dodgedart66
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:32pm

    If it was a black soldier, a gay soldier, a woman soldier, a white-hispanic soldier this would be all over the front pages. It’s a disgusting state of affairs the media is in. I’m embarrassed for them.

    Report Post »  
  • warhorse_03826
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:30pm

    back when I was unemployed, I got a few “we don’t hire veterans”

    I wish I had a recorder running.

    Report Post » warhorse_03826  
  • Principlex
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:26pm

    I think she has that right. The idea that we have a right to buy or rent another’s property is not what freedom is about. To be able to do that is “entitlement.” I definitely would not rent to some Muslims who I don’t agree with and fear. And, I’m not a liberal nor anti-war on principle. The soldier is learning a lesson we all have to learn – “I stand for liberty even when another person does not express consistent with my values.”

    Report Post »  
    • thekuligs
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:46pm

      So, because of the Fair Housing Act you can’t not rent to someone based off race, martial status, nationality, physical ability, or gender. But descriminating against prior military service is A-OK.

      Yep, we’re doomed.

      Report Post » thekuligs  
  • pdw
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:25pm

    When I was stationed at Fort Meade Maryland I took a buddy to look for an apartment in a local city. We drove up and down the streets and enjoyed watching them take the for rent signs down as we came by then putting them back up as we went on down the street. They just hated the military and had gangs which would rove the streets at night looking for a lone G.I. so they could beat him up. Years before a few of the officers on the post sent a squad of G.I.’s to clean up the town, then left them alone. You just cannot stop hate, it has to stop by itself.

    Report Post »  
  • Best_Patriot
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:21pm

    sounds like a stir-the-pot, b.s. story to me.

    you know, the kind of stuff that this crowd sucks up through a straw.

    Report Post » Best_Patriot  
    • justangry
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 3:56pm

      A lot of angry vets, some with PTSD, will be coming home someday. The potential for problems to arise is going to be pretty important.

      Report Post » justangry  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:19pm

    Hey, what do you expect, it‘s the People’s Republic of Massachusetts ………

    Report Post »  
  • broper
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:18pm

    He is the giver. She is the taker and won’t lift a finger to defend her defender. He answered the call. She languishes in freedom, but rebuffs one of the very agents who paid for her liberty. She opposes war and turns her nose up at our bravest, but wallows in her liberal fantasy that our country was built without a price. She is a paracite and she disgusts me. I salute Sgt Morgan.

    Report Post » broper  
  • Magyar
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:16pm

    Sue the he!! out of her—She’s nothing more than a POS liberal…. Their time is coming to an end in this country—fewer and fewer are buying the load of crap!

    Report Post »  
  • Vanguard17
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:16pm

    Maybe its time to reevaluate the “Fair” Housing act of 1968 to include veteran status as a protected subgroup as well.

    Report Post » Vanguard17  
  • lilmacs
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:14pm

    Fast forward a year. He‘s a Boston Firefighter and wouldn’t hesitate to risk his life to pull her out of her house were it on fire. It’s men like him who gave everything (including the last full measure of their devotion) to give her the right to be so ignorant.

    Report Post » lilmacs  
  • RANGER1965
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:14pm

    In most cases proving discrimination is really hard, and unless it’s blatant, or the company being sued has a jackload of money making it worth the time and risk, most lawyers would shy away from it; but having a voice mail from the horses’ mouth proving it beyond a shadow of a doubt is like pure gold.

    Open and shut case. They will settle, and be glad of it.

    Report Post » RANGER1965  
  • ThatCatGirl
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:10pm

    And… it’s her property. She should not be forced to rent to anyone she doesn’t want.

    Report Post »  
    • dodgedart66
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:24pm

      I agree. I would not want to rent to someone who uses the screen name THATCATGIRL.
      Would that be ok with you?

      Report Post »  
    • ThatCatGirl
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:33pm

      If it were a satan worshipper or gay person or a union activist or a fundamentalist Muslim, people would be saying she should not be forced to rent to them. I don’t see how it is different just because it is someone we agree with.

      And it is fine, if she doesn‘t want to rent to anyone with the name ’ThatCatGirl’. She should not be forced to rent to anyone she does not want to — even if it is me.

      Report Post »  
    • FreedbyTruth
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:36pm

      So you would say the same if she would not rent to him if he were a her, or black, or gay, or disabled?

      Report Post »  
    • ThatCatGirl
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 2:01pm

      @FREEDBYTRUTH — yes, i would. I don’t see what is so difficult to understand here. It is her property, she should not be forced by the government to let anyone live there.

      My personal opinion would rent to him (or anyone else) in a second, as long as s/he was clean, respectful and paid his/her rent on time. But, we cannot force ppl to live by my opinions. Or yours…

      Report Post »  
  • hi
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:05pm

    Boston is the city of nasty people. I don’t know why anyone would want to live there or go to college there.

    Report Post » hi  
    • lilmacs
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:16pm

      Not all of us. Don’t paint us all with the same brush. Please.

      Report Post » lilmacs  
    • hi
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 5:31pm

      I change it to include all the people in the northeast states, except you.

      Report Post » hi  
  • blackyb
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:04pm

    Who would want to live around someone like that beeaytch?

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • CatB
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:04pm

    Discrimination pure and simple .. I thought progessives were against discrimination .. oh no .. just people who they don’t find “offensive”. B – tch.

    Report Post »  
    • momrules
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:17pm

      Oh hell Catb………I am sick of these people and in a mood today so I’ll just spell the word……….the woman is a liberal, biased BITCH.

      Report Post »  
  • drphil69
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:04pm

    Typical liberal. He fights, risks his LIFE for her freedom, and she throws him under the bus.

    I say we give her a one-way ticket to Cuba.

    Report Post »  
    • RLTW
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:17pm

      No ticket, just an inner tube and a paddle.

      Report Post »  
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