The long battle between the East River Cooperative and three owners of service dogs appears to be ending.
Last year, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the Grand Street co-op. Today the Post reports that a settlement is in the works:
Under a settlement ironed out Thursday in Manhattan federal court, East River Housing Corp. agreed to pay co-op owners Amy Einsenberg and Steven Gilbert $55,000 and $30,000 each, respectively, and let them keep their service pets. However, Stephanie Aaron, 53, must either find a new place to live in one year or a new owner for her pooch after neighbors complained that her pet was too loud and violent.
The lawsuit claimed that the co-op violated the Fair Housing Act when it ordered the residents to get rid of the dogs. The housing complex only allows people to keep dogs with “prior written consent.” They all said they needed the pets for mental health reasons.
