Mary Cummins, Real Estate Appraiser, Animal Advocates, Los Angeles, California

Mary Cummins, Real Estate Appraiser, Animal Advocates, Los Angeles, California
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Friday, May 9, 2025

Ex CEO of Appraisal Institute Comments on Lawsuit in New York Times bombshell article by Mary Cummins

Cindy Chance v the Appraisal Institute. Sexual harassment, defamation, whistleblower complaints, retaliation, mary cummins, real estate appraisal, real estate appraiser

UPDATE: 05/12/2025 Craig Steinley kinda sorta temporarily steps away from public facing AI duties.

"Paula Konikoff, JD, MAI, AI-GRSPaula Konikoff, JD, MAI, AI-GRS

2025 Appraisal Institute President-Arbitrator 

"All,

I am writing to follow up on my previous note regarding the New York Times article. Craig Steinley, Vice President of the Appraisal Institute, has told the Board of Directors he has decided to step away from his public AI officer appearances, effective immediately. He said he makes this choice out of consideration for and in the interest of not being a distraction to the important and ongoing work of the organization and will cooperate with any investigatory effort.

The Board of Directors has formed a task force made up of non-officer directors to work with outside counsel to guide an effort to consider policies, procedures, protocols and actions associated with ensuring a safe and respectful environment for Appraisal Institute staff and members. Outside counsel will report findings to the Board, and the Board will determine, in the best interests of the organization, what steps to take based on those findings and share that with membership.

Please know that the Board is moving as quickly and thoughtfully as possible, but this will take time. 

Paula"

Now it's in the NY Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/realestate/craig-steinley-real-estate-sexual-harassment.html

UPDATE: Cindy Chance released as press release about the lawsuit.

https://www.fosterchance.com/press-and-news

Good article with video from Cindy from AppraisersBlogs

https://appraisersblogs.com/appraisal-institute-harassment-tests-n-dance-with-amcs/

"The Appraisal Institute reportedly paid a $412,000 settlement to Beata Swacha, a former Chief Financial Officer, who accused Steinley of "wildly inappropriate behavior"."

Allegedly Steinley sexually harassed Swacha. She left then Chance took her place then Steinley sexually harassed her as well.

ORIGINAL: The New York Times just came out with a bombshell investigation into the Appraisal Institute. It was triggered by Cindy Chance's lawsuit filed yesterday. Turns out there is a long history of sexual harassment at the Appraisal Institute. I always thought the higher ups were a "good ole boys" club and I was right. They even stated it word for word in the article. Below is Cindy Chance's quote.

"When I accepted the role of CEO, I made a commitment to protect the Appraisal Institute’s mission. This lawsuit is not only about seeking justice for me, it reflects my commitment to the members, the real estate markets, and the many professionals who have been harmed and yet remain faithful to the ideals of their profession: real property valuation. Appraisers play a critical role in protecting the public trust and our economic system. 

"When I uncovered serious issues at the largest professional organization for appraisers, issues involving a governance breakdown, retaliation, collusion with private financial interests, and more, I raised them, and experienced the full force of what many others have sadly experienced, a sick culture and self-interested “leadership” who silence truthtellers through coordinated abuse. The story is now unfolding, and will continue to unfold as more people come forward. My belief is that this system is a consequence of the actions of a relative few, often colluding, focused on maintaining personal advantage through political dysfunction that undermined a heavily regulated profession of licensed analysts who are themselves bound by exacting standards of independence and ethics. 

Potentially anti-competitive gatekeeping and improper influence reinforced barriers to entry, while high-profile, hollow, “diversity” programs provided cover, not progress. Corruption and self-dealing has had a devastating impact on hard working individuals and the profession.

It is time the entire “insider” ecosystem, including the regulatory environment, get the public attention it deserves. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. 

I have been deeply saddened to learn even more in the New York Times story about how far back this goes. And more people are sharing that they were targets. Thank you to Debra Kamin for her determined and insightful investigative reporting. Thank you to all of those who have spoken out, and to those who will."

Link to full NY Times article

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/realestate/appraisal-institute-sexual-harassment-exam-flaws.html

Clearly the NY Times got a few things wrong. The big one is appraisal bias. They dragged up the false narrative from the media. They also got the number of AI members wrong. Membership has been going down for a long time now. 

Below is a previous article I wrote about the departure of Cindy Chance from AI. Craig Steinley emailed me denying that Cindy would be fired. So did a few other AI bigwigs. They were all lying.

https://mary--cummins.blogspot.com/2024/09/cindy-chance-out-as-ceo-of-appraisal.html

#craigsteinley #cindychance #appraisalinstitute #sexualharassment #lawsuit #complaint

Mary Cummins of Cummins Real Estate is a certified residential licensed appraiser in Los Angeles, California. Mary Cummins is licensed by the California Bureau of Real Estate appraisers and has over 35 years of experience.


Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary, Cummins, #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit real estate, appraiser, appraisal, instructor, teacher, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Brentwood, Bel Air, California, licensed, permitted, certified, single family, condo, condominium, pud, hud, fannie mae, freddie mac, fha, uspap, certified, residential, certified resident, apartment building, multi-family, commercial, industrial, expert witness, civil, criminal, orea, dre, brea insurance, bonded, experienced, bilingual, spanish, english, form, 1004, 2055, 1073, land, raw, acreage, vacant, insurance, cost, income approach, market analysis, comparative, theory, appraisal theory, cost approach, sales, matched pairs, plot, plat, map, diagram, photo, photographs, photography, rear, front, street, subject, comparable, sold, listed, active, pending, expired, cancelled, listing, mls, multiple listing service, claw, themls, historical appraisal, facebook, linkedin

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2 comments:

  1. MARY THOMPSONMay 10, 2025 at 4:16 AM

    Thanks for this Mary. Cindy was railroaded and the only good thing that happened to AI. I am hopeful that exposure of AI misconduct actually makes a difference but of course the major damage has already been done. It will take years to gain back public trust and respect if not decades. I am glad that I exited this profession end of last year. I just hope those who remain can continue successfully in this profession. Thankfully 90% or more of my business was non lender. But anyone can sue for bias and people believe the media about this crisis which has never been proven in a court of law. Keep up the good fight Mary!

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    Replies
    1. Mary CumminsMay 10, 2025 at 3:22 PM

      Thanks for your comment. She definitely was railroaded.

      Delete

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