2019 Decisions and Orders

The Commission's Office of the Chair (OC) is responsible for issuing final Decisions and Orders after a trial and interim orders on issues that may arise before trial.  After the trial, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issues a Report and Recommendation, which may include findings of fact, decisions of law, and recommendations on damages and civil penalties. The OC reviews the matter, including the trial transcripts, evidence presented at trial, ALJ's Report and Recommendation and any post-trial comments or objections de novo, and then issues its Decision and Order, adopting or rejecting – in whole or in part – the ALJ's Report and Recommendation.

Click on the case to see the full text of the decision and order.

Commission on Human Rights ex rel. Goldstein v. Limón Jungle; Commission on Human Rights v. Intermezzo, 09/25/2019: In these consolidated cases, the Commission found that Respondents, who are sophisticated restaurant operators with nine locations in N.Y.C., repeatedly discriminated against customers with service animals. The Commission ordered that Respondents pay Complainant $14,000 in emotional distress damages, undergo training on the New York City Human Rights Law, post a notice of rights, undergo two years of monitoring by the Law Enforcement Bureau, and pay a fine of $50,000.

Commission on Human Rights ex rel. Steven B. Nieves v. Gilbert Rojas a/k/a Ren Rojas, 05/16/2019: The Commission found Respondent, a real estate broker, liable for refusing to show Complainant and his family an apartment because Complainant had a housing voucher. The Commission ordered that Respondent pay Complainant $10,000 in emotional distress damages, undergo training on the New York City Human Rights Law, and pay a fine of $10,000.

Commission on Human Rights ex rel. Rodriguez v. A Plus Worldwide Limo, Inc, and John Leonardi, 03/07/2019: The Commission found Respondents liable for repeatedly denying the Complainant Access-A-Ride car services because of the presence of his service dog. The Commission ordered that Respondents pay Complainant $13,000 in emotional distress damages, undergo training on the New York City Human Rights Law, and perform six months of community service or, in the alternative, pay a fine of $15,000.