A tenant’s battle against alleged discrimination and eviction has reached the federal courts, highlighting significant accusations of rights violations. On November 10, 2025, Nickie Kane filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Sackett Street Associates, LLC, and Sterling Group Developers, LLC. The lawsuit accuses these entities of violating multiple civil rights laws including The Fair Housing Act and The Americans with Disabilities Act.
Nickie Kane’s legal action stems from a series of events beginning in October 2023. According to the complaint, Kane faced retaliation after filing discrimination complaints related to race, ethnicity, and disability with various human rights bodies. These allegations are directed at her landlords who allegedly engaged in retaliatory eviction practices. Kane asserts that she was evicted without proper notice during the COVID-19 pandemic and that her belongings were mishandled by a moving company linked to fraudulent activities. “The landlord simply had to allow the Plaintiff to finish packing her belongings but instead retaliated by refusing and holding her belongings hostage,” states the complaint.
Kane’s narrative paints a picture of distress and injustice. As an Asian woman from Guyana practicing Islam and managing PTSD with a service animal, she claims her unique circumstances were ignored. She alleges that her landlords failed to provide necessary accommodations or notices regarding lease renewal or termination due to her service animal needs. Instead, she was subjected to harassment and an abrupt eviction process which included changing locks while she was still present.
In seeking justice, Kane demands compensatory damages for emotional distress and property loss alongside punitive damages aimed at deterring future misconduct by the defendants. She also requests declaratory relief affirming that her rights under federal and state laws were violated.
Representing herself pro se in this case, Nickie Kane is up against corporate defendants whose primary business address is shared: 6608 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11204. As this legal battle unfolds under Case ID 25-6290 before an unnamed judge in the Eastern District of New York court system, it underscores ongoing issues surrounding housing rights amidst complex socio-economic landscapes.
Source: 125cv06290_Nickie_Kane_v_Sackett_Street_Complaint_Eastern_District_of_New_York..pdf
