Trial Attorney Willie Gary and Team File $100 Million Discrimination Lawsuit on Behalf of Famed Radio Personality, George Willborn
CHICAGO – Prominent trial attorney Willie Gary announced today that he will spearhead the legal team in a $100 million discrimination lawsuit against one of Chicago’s well-known real estate companies, The Lowe Group Chicago, Inc. and Prudential Rubloff Properties.
The lawsuit was filed at Chicago’s Eastern Division Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse (case #10C5382), on behalf of famed radio personality, George Willborn and his family for punitive and compensatory damages.
Gary and his law partner Michael Lewis and attorney Jason Williams of the Florida-based law firm of Gary, Williams, Finney, Lewis, Watson and Sperando, P.L. have joined forces with Houston, Texas-based attorney, Charles H. Peckham in an effort to expose the discriminatory actions that were taken by real estate agent Jeffrey Lowe, his company, and his clients, Daniel and Adrienne Sabbia, by refusing to sell to or otherwise making unavailable to the Willborns a home, on the basis of their African American race.
The lawsuit contends that radio personality George Willborn and his family were victims of racial discrimination when they were refused the purchase of a Bridgeport -neighborhood residence because of their race. The Sabbias, a white married couple, owned the property and had been trying to sell the residence for two years when the Willborns became interested in the home and made a bona fide offer on the dwelling. The Willborns were identified as qualified buyers, negotiations ensued and the Willborns accepted the Sabbias’ counteroffer. A sales contract was prepared and after many days, the Sabbias failed to respond or sign the contract. The Sabbias subsequently took the property off the market stating that Mrs. Sabbia suddenly had a change of heart and no longer wanted to leave the residence.
A verified complaint was filed with the United States Department of Urban Housing and Development (HUD) and it was determined by the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) that reasonable cause existed to believe that a discriminatory housing practice had occurred in this case based on race. FHEO authorized HUD to proceed with the issuance of a charge of discrimination. George Willborn and his family have been subjected to the emotional and physical harm of discrimination and have suffered damages including economic loss, emotional distress, inconvenience and a lost housing opportunity.
“It is unfathomable that something like this could happen in today’s society,” commented Gary. “Since the days of Dr. King, our nation has come so far in the area of race relations. It just goes to show that there is much work to be done. This type of oppression forces us to reflect on the values of this country and the civil rights Dr. King and Rosa Parks fought for, and we seek justice. This case is about doing what is right and recognizing that everyone is equal,” continued Gary.
Gary is no stranger to seeking justice. Gary and his legal team are known for taking on some of the nation’s most powerful corporate giants. In 1995, a jury awarded Gary and his legal team a record-breaking, half-billion dollars against one of the world’s largest funeral chains, The Loewen Group. In addition, Gary is noted for winning a $240 million jury verdict in Orange County against the Walt Disney Corporation for his clients who alleged that Disney stole their idea for a sports theme park. In 2001, a jury awarded Gary a $139.6 million verdict for the Maris Distributing Company against Anheuser Busch.
