CMBG3’s Michael Simons is currently representing a couple who, earlier in 2020, made an offer on a home in Rhode Island, which, after negotiations, was ultimately accepted. The couple and the property sellers moved to the Purchase & Sale Agreement stage, at which time the sellers discovered that CMBG3’s clients were a mixed race couple, as one of the buyers was African American. Upon learning of this information, the sellers indicated that they were unwilling to sell their property to an African American, and subsequently refused to sign the Purchase & Sale Agreement. They then took the subject property off of the market.

Attorney Simons was recently interviewed by the Providence Journal and the Westerly Sun newspapers, which are following this lawsuit as it proceeds through the Massachusetts federal court. The case is pending in federal court because the federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing-related transactions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability.

Attorney Simons indicated to the media that “this is an upsetting situation in this day and age, and sadly a local example of the systemic and abhorrent racism which continues to pervade society. That said, my clients and I refuse to believe that what happened here is reflective of the broader Rhode Island community, and we trust that the Court will handle the matter fairly.” CMBG3 stands behind these sentiments and fully supports Attorney Simons’ pursuit of justice for his clients in this repugnant example of racial discrimination.