A transgender woman is fighting back against years of alleged harassment and discrimination at her Brooklyn apartment building. On November 26, 2025, Misha Ellis filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Fifth Avenue Committee, Inc., Miguel Quinones, Zully Rolan, and Denise Torres. The complaint accuses the defendants of violating the Fair Housing Act and New York City Human Rights Law through ongoing harassment and failure to provide a safe living environment.
Misha Ellis has lived in her Brooklyn apartment for 17 years, during which she claims to have endured relentless harassment from the building's superintendent, Miguel Quinones. According to Ellis, Quinones consistently misgendered her and used transphobic slurs over a period exceeding a decade. "For Ms. Ellis, it was a terrifying prospect just to make a simple request for repairs," states the complaint. Despite numerous complaints to Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC), the organization managing her building, Ellis alleges that no meaningful action was taken to address or halt Quinones' behavior.
The situation escalated in November 2023 when Quinones allegedly screamed violent threats at Ellis and falsely reported her to the police as retaliation for her complaints about his conduct. The police found no grounds for Quinones' accusations against Ellis. Despite this incident and continued complaints from Ellis, FAC did not terminate Quinones' employment or prevent him from interacting with her.
Ellis argues that FAC's failure to act constitutes violations of both federal and local laws protecting individuals from discrimination based on gender identity. She is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief along with compensatory and punitive damages. Her demands include changes in FAC's policies regarding tenant harassment complaints, mandatory training on fair housing laws for staff, and assurance that she will not have further contact with Quinones.
The legal battle highlights broader issues surrounding housing rights for transgender individuals who often face discrimination within their communities. "Defendants’ conduct was willful, intentional, and in reckless disregard of Ms. Ellis’ rights," asserts the complaint filed by Brooklyn Legal Services on behalf of Ellis.
Representing Ellis is attorney Sara Manaugh from Brooklyn Legal Services. The case has been assigned Case No. 25-cv-6590 under Judge [Name not provided].
Source: 125cv06590_Ellis_v_Fifth_Avenue_Committee_Inc_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf