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A gay, multiracial couple has filed a lawsuit against a swanky Manhattan skyscraper, accusing the building management of discriminating against, harassing and retaliating against them because of their race and sexual orientation.
The $2.1 million lawsuit alleges that former Dorchester Towers residents Anthony Dolci and Ming Infante were “systematically and aggressively discriminated against and made the subject of harassment tactics by employees of the building.”
Dolci, 53, an organizer and activist, and Infante, 58, a business analyst, have been together for 22 years. In 2016, they relocated from Hong Kong to New York, where they settled in the Dorchester Towers on the Upper West Side, a luxury building that prides itself with its “white glove service,” sundeck, and private driveway “Pride in your everyday life.” ” to be. The couple paid $2,850 a month for their one-bedroom apartment in 2016; Now some studios are renting for over $5,000 a month. Dolci ran a small business catering to the elderly residents of the building.
“Anthony has one of the most generous hearts of anyone I know. He loves taking care of people who need help,” one resident wrote in a letter of recommendation reviewed by The Post.
But when the building changed management in 2018, new manager Dolci said he and Infante “won’t fit in the building,” according to the lawsuit, which also alleges the building removed a “rainbow flag” attached to the the couple’s hung door. Dolci said the building even prevented him and Infante from handing out candy on Halloween.
“I definitely feel that because we’re an openly gay couple, we’ve been judged for who we are and for not hiding how we act, speak and dress and go about our business when we’re from to.” come home,” Dolci said.
The lawsuit alleges that management instructed building staff to call the police about the couple if they were in their hallway or lobby for more than a few minutes. In a video viewed by The Post, the manager tells Dolci: “Staff are told you’re here for five minutes and then have to leave the desk or PD will be called.”
Dorchester Towers filed a total of 31 police reports against Dolci in 2018 and 2019, according to the lawsuit. In November 2018, Dorchester’s management claimed Dolci and Infante flooded their bathroom and called the fire brigade, who broke down the couple’s door. There was no flooding, and the building replaced the door with one from another apartment, according to the lawsuit.
“We’ve really suffered and had a lot of very scary, horrifying experiences,” Dolci said.
The building’s current manager, doormen and numerous residents declined to comment. One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity and feared for her safety, said she was “surprised” to hear about the lawsuit because she had had “only positive experiences” in the building.
Ogden Cap Properties, the company that manages the Dorchester Towers, denies the allegations.
The company has filed a motion to dismiss the case in its entirety and “is confident it will prevail in court,” according to a spokesman.
“Ogden Cap Properties does not tolerate discrimination of any kind,” the spokesman said, adding that “the allegations contained in the lawsuit are without foundation and have absolutely no legal or factual basis.”
