H
oward Lorber, the longtime chairman and CEO of Douglas Elliman, abruptly resigned after two decades at the helm. Executives and high-ranking employees were given little notice, with some receiving only an hour's warning before the announcement was made public. Scott Durkin, president of the brokerage, was terminated three days later without explanation.

    The sudden shake-up has left the company reeling, with insiders pointing to a probe into Elliman's "sexually charged" work culture following allegations against former star brokers Oren and Tal Alexander. The investigation, led by law firm Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello, was reportedly pushed for by Kennedy Lewis Investment Management co-founder David Chene after his firm invested $50 million in Elliman.

    Elliman's statements after Lorber's departure downplayed the reasons behind his exit, with the company citing no disagreements or performance issues. However, sources close to the matter suggest that the investigation and subsequent findings led to Lorber's resignation. The brokerage has since engaged executive recruiting firm Spencer Stuart to find a new CEO, sparking speculation about Liebowitz's temporary status.

    In an effort to reassure employees and agents, Elliman convened a town hall meeting, but the event failed to provide clarity on the company's priorities or address concerns about its culture. New CEO Liebowitz emphasized the importance of company culture, yet also claimed that there was no problem at Douglas Elliman. The brokerage is facing additional challenges, including lawsuits in California alleging kickbacks and rule-bending for select agents.

    Elliman has denied these allegations and countersued. In a statement, Liebowitz promised significant changes over the next 30 to 45 days, including new hires and increased resources at the executive level.