ORLANDO, Fla. -- A family's claim that they were denied an apartment because of the color of their skin has lead to charges filed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Lewarna Williams said she went to the Fountain View apartments in Orange City looking for a place to rent and was told there were no units available.

However, after Williams complained in February, Local 6 investigated and found that blacks sent into the rent apartments were turned away while white people were told units were available and even given tours of the complex.

"These two people, the black woman and the while guy, they saw the same woman and they were treated completely different," Local 6's Steven Cooper said.

"That's your opinion and that is his opinion," Fountain View apartment owner Jimmy Stevens said.

"No, that's our observation," Cooper said. "It's not an opinion and it is not an allegation. We observed this."

The story prompted investigations by both state and federal authorities.

"Immediately, when we saw that story, we began to look into the matter," Department of Housing and Urban Development representative Bryan Greene said.

Officials with the Department of Housing and Urban Development said the case Local 6 uncovered has resulted in charges against the Fountain View apartments.

Stevens and apartment manager Mildred Chastain are charged with violating the Fair Housing Act.

Both face fines of up to $16,000 for each violation of the Fair Housing Act, Local 6 reported.

If Chastain and Stevens can't reach a settlement agreement with HUD, they will go before a judge answering to the charges and both may be heading to court.

A state investigation into the claims against the apartments continues. No criminal charges have been filed in the case.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.