# Can the government step in if a local company is constantly discriminating against people?

- Jurisdiction: United States
- Practice area: Tenancy Law
- Published: 2026-10-30
- Last updated: 2026-10-30
- Canonical: https://lawasked.com/us/tenancy-law/can-government-step-if-local-company-constantly-discriminating

## Question

I live in Ohio and I have noticed something really upsetting happening at a large retail chain in my town. Over the last six months, specifically since January, I have seen at least five different people from minority groups being treated poorly by the floor managers. One person told me they wouldn't let a Black customer use a specific discount coupon that was clearly advertised, and last week, I saw a woman with a visible disability being denied entry because the manager claimed the automatic doors were 'broken' even though they worked fine for everyone else. I have already tried talking to the store manager and filing three separate complaints through their corporate website, but nothing has changed and they just keep ignoring the issues. It feels like this isn't just a one-time mistake, but a regular pattern of how they treat certain groups of people. I am wondering if there is any way for the federal government or the Attorney General to actually take this company to court to force them to stop this behavior and follow the rules, especially since it seems like they are intentionally making it hard for certain people to shop there.

## Summary

Yes, the federal government can step in if a company is following a pattern of discrimination. The Attorney General has the authority to sue a company to stop these practices if they are found to be intentional and widespread.

## Analysis

Based on the patterns you observed at the retail chain in Ohio—such as the denial of coupons to Black customers and the denial of entry to a woman with a disability—the federal government may have the power to intervene. Under the Civil Rights Act and Americans with Disabilities Act, the Attorney General can take legal action if they find a specific type of behavior.

The law allows the Attorney General to bring a civil action "Whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of any of the rights secured by this subchapter, and that the pattern or practice is of such a nature and is intended to deny the full exercise of the rights herein described" [1]. A "pattern or practice" means the discrimination is not just a one-time accident but a regular, repeated way the business operates. If the Attorney General finds this is happening, they can ask a court for a "permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order or other order against the person or persons responsible" [1]. An injunction is a court order that forces a person or company to stop doing something specific, such as discriminating against customers.

In your specific case, the government's ability to act depends on whether these incidents constitute a widespread pattern intended to deny rights. While you have seen multiple instances since January, the Attorney General's decision to sue is discretionary, meaning they decide whether or not to take the case based on their own investigation. It is currently uncertain if the specific incidents you witnessed meet the high legal threshold of a "pattern or practice" that the federal government would choose to prosecute.

Note that state, provincial, or local laws in Ohio may provide additional protections or different ways to report these issues.

## Statutory citations

- Civil Rights Act & Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e–6 - Civil actions by the Attorney General [in force] (https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section2000e–6)
  > Whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of any of the rights secured by this subchapter, and that the pattern or practice is of such a nature and is intended to deny the full exercise of the rights herein described, the Attorney General may bring a civil action
- Civil Rights Act & Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e–6 - Civil actions by the Attorney General [in force] (https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section2000e–6)
  > requesting such relief, including an application for a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order or other order against the person or persons responsible for such pattern or practice

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