The Justice Department 's action comes as a result of a complaint filed by the National Fair Housing Alliance ( NFHA ) with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ( HUD ) . In August , 2005 , HUD began an investigation and later found evidence that agents of Re / Max East-West steered homebuyers based on race and national origin , made discriminatory statements , and treated individuals differently based on their national origin . After HUD issued a charge of discrimination , NFHA filed an election to have the case heard in federal court . As a result , the lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois , Eastern Division by the Justice Department .