Article Courtesy of The Palm Beach Post

By Bill Douthat
Wednesday, July 28, 2004

An Egyptian-born businessman told he didn't fit the "character of the building" where he wants to buy an oceanfront condominium is suing for housing discrimination.

Adel Khalil says the Pelican Walk condominium in Juno Beach is illegally blocking his purchase of the $895,000 condo.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with me," Khalil said Tuesday. "I'm as good as anybody who lives there."

Khalil's lawsuit claims condo board President Michael Marino is violating state civil rights laws and the federal Fair Housing Act.

A real estate agent representing the seller of the condo says Marino asked about Khalil's race when he learned Khalil was trying to purchase the condo.

"I said, 'I can't believe you are asking me this. He's a prince of a guy. He's an Egyptian guy,' " said Pamela Widerman, recounting her talk with Marino in May.

Widerman said Marino replied, "Well, then he's black."

Widerman said Marino told her Khalil "did not fit the character of the building."

On a Pelican Walk application given to Khalil, someone wrote by hand two additional questions, asking for place of birth and citizenship, according to the lawsuit.

Scrawled at the bottom of the form was a note: "All noncitizens to be cleared by Homeland Security."

Marino declined comment Tuesday but during a television news interview Monday denied any discrimination. Marino said Khalil was not eligible to purchase because the condo restricts buyers to those over 55 years of age. Khalil, who owns a marine canvas business in Lake Park, is 49.

The lawsuit filed Thursday in Palm Beach County Circuit Court said Marino didn't seek to convert the condo to a 55-plus property until four days before Khalil was scheduled to buy the unit.

Khalil said Marino is still refusing to give him the homeowner board documents he needs to close on the purchase.

"I'm trying to buy a dream house for my children," Khalil said, who plans to live in the condo with his boys, ages 11 and 13. The children were born in the United States, and Khalil became a U.S. citizen in 1992.

Marino's rejection of the family has caused his kids to question their heritage, Khalil said.

"They used to be so proud to be Egyptian, from the land of the pyramids," Khalil said. "Now they feel unwanted."