From Fortune Magazine:

The National Association of Realtors has faced a number of recent controversies, including a $1.8 billion verdict in late October 2023. NAR president Tracy Kasper resigned on Monday, alleging that she was the victim of blackmail related to a “matter so severe she reported it to law enforcement.”

After a bombshell report about sexual harassment within NAR’s leadership in August 2023, Kasper’s alleged blackmail is more fallout for the organization. She had only been sworn in as president in late November 2023 and couldn’t be reached for comment about the incident.

The threat was over a “past personal, non-financial matter,” but Kasper says the interests of NAR are her priority. The organization’s leadership team is taking steps to protect its integrity but did not provide specifics.

President-elect Kevin Sears will replace Tracy Kasper. Sears is a realtor from Springfield, Mass, and a broker and partner at Sears Real Estate. He specializes in single-family brokerage and property management and has served NAR in leadership positions since 2017.

Nykia Wright has been named interim CEO, following Bob Goldberg’s resignation in early November 2023. The highest levels of the organization were shaken by the lawsuit the popular realtor had sued the NAR.

The October verdict involves NAR and the largest national real-estate broker franchisors including Berkshire Hathaway’s HomeServices. The jury ruled that these organizations had artificially inflated realtor commissions. Kasper also happens to be the broker/owner of a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices office in Boise. The volatile outcome could have long-lasting consequences for the real estate market.



Read more: National Association of Realtors head Tracy Kasper resigns over blackmail threat