**Jim Crow Tactics in Modern Housing?

The Conduct of Leasing Agent Kimberly Sotomayor at Channel Point Apartments**

At Channel Point Apartments in Long Beach, California—managed by the embattled property-management giant Greystar—multiple residents have reported disturbing conduct by Leasing Agent Kimberly Sotomayor, including allegations of racial discrimination, humiliation, and behavior reminiscent of Jim Crow–era racial control tactics.

These accounts, shared primarily by African-American residents, describe unequal treatment, retaliatory conduct, and racially charged interactions that have undermined confidence in the property’s management practices.

Withholding the Final Check From a $30,000 Settlement

According to the resident involved, Sotomayor withheld the final check from a legally mandated $30,000 settlement, hiding the document behind her back instead of releasing it immediately and transparently. Witnesses described the behavior as deliberate and humiliating. The resident stated Sotomayor’s actions mirrored historical tactics used to deny African Americans access to their own wages as a means of reinforcing dependency and control. Only after repeated calls to Greystar’s attorney, Gary Arakelian, was the check ultimately released.

Directing the Black Resident to “Check Out With Security” Instead of Management

In a move described by residents as discriminatory and highly irregular, Sotomayor told the African-American resident to complete his settlement transaction with the onsite private security guard, not management. Security—employed separately and lacking administrative authority—has no role in legal, financial, or settlement processes. No non-Black resident undergoing a similar process was directed to security instead of management. Residents questioned why a legal settlement was delegated to private security, why management refused to fulfill its duties, and why this treatment was imposed only on the Black resident. The resident reported this felt intentionally degrading and racially targeted.

Public Humiliation: “I’m Scared of You,” Despite No Threatening Behavior

Multiple witnesses reported Sotomayor running in and out of the leasing office repeating, “I’m scared of you,” despite the resident remaining calm, silent, and non-confrontational. The resident described her behavior as a racialized performance invoking stereotypes portraying Black men as dangerous—stereotypes historically used to justify exclusion, punishment, or segregation.

Forced to Involve Greystar’s Attorney

Because Sotomayor refused to release the check and attempted to reroute him to security, the resident was forced to repeatedly contact Greystar’s attorney Gary Arakelian to intervene. He informed Arakelian that the leasing agent had directed him to “check out with security,” calling the process humiliating, discriminatory, and completely improper.

Reports of Unprofessional Conduct and Questionable Documentation

Residents reported numerous concerns with Sotomayor’s conduct. Several described her tone as mocking or belittling, especially when she repeatedly addressed tenants by their first names in a dismissive way. Other residents reported tense or hostile behavior during discussions involving deposits, payments, or documentation. Some said they felt unsettled when Sotomayor held checks or paperwork behind her back or failed to present documents clearly, raising concerns about transparency.

Allegations of Submitting Falsified Court Documents

Several residents stated that documents attributed to Sotomayor were later filed with the court containing statements or descriptions they believed were false, inaccurate, or fabricated. The resident involved stated that portions of these filings did not match the events that occurred and described them as falsified documents submitted to a judicial proceeding. While no court has yet made a formal finding on the accuracy of these disputed filings, residents reported that they believe Sotomayor knowingly submitted misleading or false information, further eroding trust in management and intensifying fears of retaliation.

Impact on Disabled Residents

Residents managing medical conditions—including individuals undergoing dialysis with limited arm mobility—reported that unclear communication or perceived hostility amplified emotional stress and made routine administrative tasks unnecessarily difficult.

Broader Pattern of Jim Crow–Style Treatment

Residents say Sotomayor’s conduct aligns with a larger pattern observed at Channel Point Apartments. African-American residents reported being told to use side or back entrances, having their interactions routed through security instead of management, seeing civil-rights complaints ignored, and experiencing retaliation after filing discrimination reports. These practices mirror historic systems outlawed under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Legal Implications

If verified, the conduct may violate the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Gov. Code § 12955), the Unruh Civil Rights Act, California Civil Code § 1940.2 (anti-retaliation), and California Civil Code § 1710 (fraud in legal filings). Submitting misleading or fabricated information to a court may constitute fraud, retaliation, and civil-rights violations.

Residents Call for Oversight and Change

Residents are calling for civil-rights compliance, staff retraining, transparency in documentation, independent oversight, and equal treatment for all tenants. With active investigations by the California Civil Rights Department, residents hope discriminatory practices at Channel Point Apartments will finally be addressed and corrected.