November 11 – Former San Diego FC forward Cédric Bakambu has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that he and his wife were denied rental housing because they have five children.
The suit, filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, names owners JW Wealth and Sheila Nasehi, real estate firm Compass California III and Compass agents Gillian Gillies and Bree Bornstein. San Diego FC and MLS are not accused.
Bakambu and his wife, Anne-Laure Hueber, are seeking damages and other relief under California’s Fair Housing Act and civil rights laws, alleging discrimination based on “family status.”
According to the filing, the couple offered $17,500 a month for a 5,679-square-foot home in San Diego. Gillies allegedly said a pool barrier “would be necessary due to the age of the children,” a condition not mentioned in the listing. The family offered to pay for the barrier and a year’s rent in advance. His broker raised concerns about fair housing, and Compass’ head of compliance responded, “Compass isn’t violating any fair housing rules, why would you accuse us of doing that?” The list was later withdrawn.
The family then offered $23,500 a month for a house in Rancho Santa Fe. The suit says the offer went unanswered even after the property was advertised at $20,000 and alleges it was retaliation for raising earlier concerns. The list was withdrawn on November 6.
“They were denied equal consideration because their household included five children,” the filing states. It says the family stayed in temporary housing at their own expense, suffering “lost housing opportunities, additional expenses, prolonged housing instability” and emotional distress.
The defendants have not publicly responded to the allegations.
Bakambu, a DR Congo international who played in this summer’s World Cup, signed with San Diego on Sept. 3 and scored four goals in nine games. On November 6, he announced on Instagram that he was leaving the club. “Some decisions are beyond our control,” he wrote.
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