Black Couple Sues Douglas Elliman and Queens Landlords Over Racist Text From Broker

Lisa Renee Olaso and Cyril Christopher filed a lawsuit in state court this week alleging violations of the federal Fair Housing Act against Douglas Elliman Realty, broker Helen Tzelios, and landlords Charles and Barbara Neocleous following a discriminatory incident during an apartment search in Flushing, Queens. In June, while the couple were preparing to view a three-bedroom apartment on 26th Avenue, Tzelios inadvertently sent them a text message intended for the landlord that read "Ugh, they're Black." When confronted, Tzelios claimed the message referred to other Black individuals who had caused problems in the neighborhood. The couple immediately declined to view the apartment and ultimately found a place to rent in Commack, on Long Island. Douglas Elliman issued a statement saying it maintains a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and confirmed it had terminated Tzelios's employment. Olaso, who works as an airline manager, told Gothamist that the couple — who were relocating from Delaware — had specifically chosen Flushing because it is a culturally diverse neighborhood and they had not expected to encounter that kind of discrimination there. Their lawyer Kenneth Mollins said the couple is not suing for money, but rather to demonstrate that racism and discrimination still exist in New York.