Appraiser can sue black professors who accused him of racism, judge ruleshttps://www.thecollegefix.com/appraiser-can-sue-black-professors-who-accused-him-of-racism-judge-rules/A Maryland home appraiser can sue two married black professors who accused him of racism for the way he valued their home for a refinance, a judge ruled recently.
The judge also ruled the professors can move forward with their lawsuit against the appraiser, ruling that both had provided evidence to show their suits were plausible enough to continue.
Shane Lanham’s counterclaim against Johns Hopkins University professors Nathan Connolly and Shani Mott can continue, District Judge Stephanie Gallagher ruled on Aug. 3. He sued for defamation based on media interviews the pair gave.
Mott and Connolly (pictured) accused Lanham of valuing their home differently because they are black. They filed suit against Lanham for violations of state and federal civil rights, fair housing and and lending laws.
An interesting set of rulings, as Gallagher ruled that the professors' lawsuit and Lanham's counter-suit could both proceed to trial. An essential element for Lanham's counter suit to be successful is that the profs' claims are false.
