Accusations against Corcoran and MHP 'completely untrue'.

Executives representing 505 Greenwich St. and the Corcoran Group have denied allegations of unfair exclusion and discrimination made by two realtors that appeared in the New York Times and Real Estate Weekly in the past month.

Pamela Liebman, CEO of the Corcoran Group, said the allegations by realtors, Christopher Matthieson, managing partner of J.C. DeNiro, and Michael Schvo, of Douglas Elliman, are false and exaggerated.

The realtors had accused Corcoran of blocking them from showing its exclusive listings at 505 Greenwich St. and Matthieson further accused Corcoran of refusing to sell him an apartment in the building solely because he was a realtor.

Liebman explained that the Corcoran Group must first offer apartments to individuals on a "priority list," compiled by Metropolitan Housing Partners, developers of the property. Individuals on the list were offered the first chance to buy apartments. It is customary, according to industry experts, that a developer creates a priority list for new developments.

Jane Gladstein, principal of MHP, concurred with Liebman, saying the list was made up of "those people who have contacted us, who have expressed interest in our forthcoming developments."

She added, "We do honor our obligation to the more than 400 people who had been on the priority list."

Liebman said the Corcoran Group "has always been one of the strongest advocates of co-brokering in New York City and will continue to be such."

"Currently the Corcoran Group has more listings co-brokered than any other firm in the city of New York," she added. In response to Matthieson's allegations, the Corcoran Group has filed a complaint against him with the Ethics Committee of the Real Estate Board of New York. Matthieson acknowledged being served with the complaint. Both Matthieson and Liebman declined to discuss details or reasons for the filing.

"I have responded to the complaint with REBNY," Matthieson said. "The committee is examining it."

Eileen Spinola, REBNY's senior vice president of brokerage services and education, said Mathieson had initially called her to protest not being able to show apartments at 505 Greenwich.

"He basically said, 'Doesn't this violate the 72-hour rule?'" Spinola recalled, referring to REBNY's policy that new listings must be made available to other brokers within 72 hours.

But Spinola said she explained to Matthieson that the 72-hour rule only concerns re-sold properties.

"We, in no way, can control an owner/developer," Spinola said, in reference to MHP. Spinola also said that a brokerage firm must follow the direction of a seller.

REBNY maintains a policy of neutrality in all disputes which are filed.

Liebman said any allegation that Matthieson was denied an apartment in the building was "completely untrue."

"We have numerous brokers who have bought in the building," Liebman said. "We do not exclude brokers from buying in the building."

She added, "We invite Mr. Matthieson to come in and buy an apartment."

Matthieson said he was no longer looking to buy an apartment, based on the current asking prices. But he said brokers from J.C. DeNiro were now able to see apartments at 505 Greenwich St. on a regular basis and that a realtor from his firm just brought in a signed contract for a $1.35 million apartment.

"I think 505 Greenwich is a fantastic product," Matthieson said. "I love the building. I think the developers have done a magnificent job."