The National Association of Realtors learned of the “creepy” conduct of some of its leadership in July, more than a month before president Kenny Parcell resigned in the wake of sexual harassment claims.
An attorney for the Polsinelli Law Firm sent a letter to NAR CEO Bob Goldberg on July 14, according to a copy obtained by Inman. The trade group had retained Polsinelli to conduct an internal investigation regarding allegations of misbehavior at the organization.
The law firm uncovered evidence that members of the top brass at NAR engaged in “creepy” and “disrespectful” behavior last year, according to the letter, which didn’t identify the leaders involved. The behavior included lying to staff and members, being racially insensitive and engaging in sexual communications, according to the letter.
Polsinelli fired off the letter weeks after former NAR employee Janelle Bravard filed a lawsuit against the trade group, accusing then-president Parcell of sexual and racial harassment. The law firm advised NAR on its communications following the lawsuit, which Brevard later withdrew.
Leadership at NAR publicly downplayed allegations of past misbehavior among its leaders. The letter says otherwise, though the trade group started shifting its public posture, as incoming president Tracy Kasper promoted a “need to rebuild trust.”
The letter also pointed to some of the circumstances surrounding Brevard’s lawsuit withdrawal. NAR allegedly threatened sanctions and promised to respond in court to Brevard’s lawsuit with “contrary information.” Brevard ultimately received more than $100,000 from NAR.
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As for Parcell, there seemed to be plenty of internal support for the president from executives, according to the letter. Polsinelli came up with “creative ideas” to support both the organization and Parcell, who continued to deny wrongdoing when he resigned.
Attorney Denise Drake wrote that the “issue should go away quickly for NAR and Mr. Parcell.” It did not.
Prior to his Parcell’s resignation, multiple women came forward in a damning expose published by the New York Times, detailing a pattern of inappropriate behavior. The Times investigation was based on accounts from 29 employees and former executives.
— Holden Walter-Warner