Queens apartment seekers allege broker's text exposed housing discrimination
ABC7 New York • • entertainment
Key Points:
- A couple, Lisa Renee Olaso and Cyril Christopher, have filed a lawsuit against Douglas Elliman Realty, an agent, and several property owners after a broker sent a racially discriminatory text message while they were trying to rent an apartment in Queens.
- The broker, who never met the couple in person, accidentally included Olaso in a text to the property owner stating, "Ugh. They are Black," and later defended the comment by referencing previous Black tenants allegedly causing trouble.
- Douglas Elliman stated it has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and confirmed the agent involved is no longer with the company.
- The couple’s attorney argued the homeowner may share responsibility for the discriminatory message, highlighting it was not an isolated incident.
- Olaso and Christopher expressed that the experience was painful and continues to affect them despite an apology from the broker.
