There used to be a time in America when discrimination and segregation based on race was the law of the land. Apparently, that day still exists.
In Chicago, Daniel and Adrienne Sabbia, and their real estate agent, Jeffrey Lowe, are facing federal discrimination charges after they allegedly refused to sell their home to an African American couple.
The couple allegedly took their home off the market because they said they could not find a new home to meet their standards and because they wanted to keep their children in the same school. However, according to a complaint filed by HUD, the Sabbias’ large home had been listed for $1.799 million, and was on the market for two years. The home was taken off the market in January when radio personality George Willborn and his wife made a $1.7 million offer to buy the house. This was the highest bid received on the property.
This past week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced charges against the Sabbias, and their real estate agent. A HUD offical said that through an interview with an investigator, Lowe indicated Daniel Sabbia told him that he did not desire to sell his home to an African American.
The complaint also alleges that the Sabbias and Lowe stalled negotiations. Refusing to sell a home because of someone's race is a violation of the Fair Housing Act. Willborn is a radio personality and comedian, his wife, Peytyn, is a businesswoman.
The matter will now be heard by an administrative judge and may eventually end up in the jurisdiction of a U.S. District Court. If victorious, the Willborns could be awarded monetary damages. If the case ends up in the federal court, punitive damages may also be awarded.
–torrance stephens, ph.d.
from http://www.rollingout.com/
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