2026 Settlement Highlights

The Commission has the authority to assess fines and obtain monetary damages for those aggrieved by violations of the New York City Human Rights Law. Additionally, the Commission may negotiate additional remedies including rehiring, policy change, training, and modifications for accessibility.

January 2026 – April 2026

Skechers Settled Race Discrimination Claim for $5,000 in Emotional Distress Damages

Complainant filed a claim against Skechers, alleging that a store manager made racially discriminatory comments against him while he was in the store. The Commission determined that Skechers violated the New York City Human Rights Law, and Skechers agreed to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages and participate in anti-discrimination training. 

NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital Settles Race Discrimination Claim for $90,000 in Emotional Distress Damages and $15,000 in Civil Penalties  

Two Complainants alleged that their supervisors at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital fostered a hostile work environment by referring to them with racially charged language and acting on racial stereotypes. The Commission issued a notice of probable cause and began engaging in conciliation. NYU Langone claimed that they addressed the Complainants’ concerns, no longer employed the named harasser, and had not learned of any other similar claims. NYU Langone settled the claim for $40,000 in emotional distress damages for the first Complainant, $50,000 in emotional distress damages for the second Complainant, and $15,000 in civil penalties.

Clean City Laundry Inc. Settles Race Discrimination Claim for $1,000 in Emotional Distress Damages and Affirmative Relief  

A customer at Clean City Laundry Inc., a Black man, believed he was being watched and followed.  When he asked the employee to stop, she claimed that she did not speak English. However, the Complainant understands Spanish and overheard the employee referring to him by a pejorative term, asked why this “fat Black” was at the laundromat, and said “she did not like Black people.”  The Complainant alleged discrimination based on race. Clean City Laundry Inc. agreed to pay $1,000 in emotional distress damages, mandate all staff to attend the Commission's anti-discrimination training, and display the Commission’s Notice of Rights poster. 

Cityscape Living Settles Fair Chance Housing Claim Following Pre-Complaint Intervention 

After notification from the New York City Housing Authority that rental application for Cityscape Living contained discriminatory inquiries regarding criminal history and lawful source of income, the Commission initiated a pre-complaint investigation. The brokerage firm agreed to make immediate changes to the rental application, remove discriminatory inquiries, attend anti-discrimination trainings, and implement a new policy for real estate agents working with prospective tenants using lawful sources of income or prior engagement with the criminal justice system. 

Bond NY Settles Source of Income Discrimination Claim for $10,000 in Emotional Distress Damages and Affirmative Relief  

After a voucher holder inquired about a unit, a Bond NY agent insisted that a credit score was also required to proceed with an application. Bond NY agreed to pay $10,000 in emotional distress damages, create a $30,000 rental application assistance fund for voucher holders seeking housing, attend Commission anti-discrimination trainings, implement policy revisions, post the Commission's Fair Housing posters, and notify all staff of the protections on lawful source of income. 

HELP USA and Staff Agree to Pay $45,000 in Emotional Distress Damages Following Disability Discrimination Claim 

Complainant filed a complaint against HELP USA, alleging that while he was a resident in one of their shelters, their staff discriminated against him on the basis of his disability. Complainant was denied accessible housing by HELP USA, and on-site landlords failed to provide reasonable accommodations throughout his tenancy. HELP USA agreed to pay $20,000 in emotional distress damages, attend anti-discrimination training, distribute a reasonable accommodation policy, post Fair Housing posters, and engage in monitoring for two years. On-site landlords agreed to pay $25,000 in emotional distress damages, attend anti-discrimination training, post Fair Housing posters, and distribute a reasonable accommodation policy.

Landlord Settles Source of Income Discrimination Claim for $40,000 in Emotional Distress Damages and Affirmative Relief  

Landlord refused to accept and fill out paperwork for a current tenant using a voucher, despite repeated requests from the tenant’s daughter, social worker, and Commission staff. The landlord settled the claim, agreeing to pay $35,000 in emotional distress damages, $5,000 in civil penalties, attend anti-discrimination training, and implement a policy to ensure acceptance of public sources of income. Landlord must also set aside all new vacancies in entire property portfolio for applicants using public sources of income for two years.

The New York City Transit Authority Settles Several Service Animal Discrimination Claims for $154,000 in Emotional Distress Damages and Extensive Affirmative Relief   

Multiple complainants filed service animal discrimination claims against the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA), alleging bus operators harassed people with service animals, denied users entry while accompanied by a service animal, or taking the bus out of service to withhold services from riders with a service animal. NYCTA agreed to pay Complainants a combined total of $154,000 in emotional distress damages. The settlement also requires training on the NYC Human Rights Law, updating policies that were reviewed by the Commission, updating internal bus operator evaluation forms, submission to monitoring by the Commission, and displaying the Commission's "Service Animals Are Welcome on Public Transportation" poster on all NYCTA buses throughout the five boroughs.