NAR accuser withdraws racial, sexual discrimination suit
A former employee has withdrawn a lawsuit alleging she was unfairly fired after ending a relationship with the National Association of Realtors president.
Key points:
- NAR’s former chief storyteller “voluntarily withdrew” the lawsuit she filed on June 27.
- The suit cannot be refiled.
- NAR has denied the claims.
A former chief storyteller for the National Association of Realtors has withdrawn her lawsuit against the organization.
The suit, filed June 27 by Janelle Brevard, had claimed gender and racial discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment by the organization's current president, Kenny Parcell.
A spokesman for NAR denied the claims when the suit was filed.
Brevard "voluntarily withdrew her lawsuit," on Thursday, said Mantill Williams, NAR vice president of communications. Brevard filed a notice of dismissal with prejudice, which means she can not refile the case.
This is an unexpectedly quick resolution to a case that required federal approval to even be filed, which raises questions about whether the parties agreed to settle.
When asked if there has been a settlement, Williams said there would be no further comment.
Neither Brevard nor her lawyers responded to a request for comment.
Brevard, who is Black, filed suit in the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C., claiming she was fired after ending a sexual relationship with Parcell.
She had been seeking past and future lost wages as well as punitive damages.
"NAR prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive environment for all our employees," Williams said last month. "It is our practice to fully investigate all claims that are brought to our attention and take action, as warranted."