Washington residents damaged in loan discrimination case

At least 10 Washington residents were among the more than 3,000 recipients of refund checks stemming from a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission against a company that allegedly charged Hispanics higher prices for mortgage loans than non-Hispanic white consumers.

Approximately $1.5 million is being returned to consumers.

A settlement order imposed against Golden Empire Mortgage, Inc. and Howard D. Kootstra was suspended when the defendants agreed to pay $1.5 to consumers.