Gustavo Gordillo, co-chair of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), is facing an eviction lawsuit for allegedly failing to pay $5,000 in rent for a Brooklyn apartment. The lawsuit, filed in Brooklyn housing court, claims Gordillo missed three rent payments of $2,500 each for a Crown Heights apartment.

Gordillo, 38, reportedly leased the apartment in May 2025 while a $1.5 million townhouse, gifted to him by his father, underwent renovations. The townhouse was purchased for approximately $935,000 in 2019 and its value has since increased significantly. His father, Gustavo E. Gordillo, founder and CEO of telecommunications firm DraftPros, confirmed he purchased the property for his sons.

Court filings state that Gordillo treated rent payments as optional, often paying only after accumulating three months of unpaid rent. The landlord, Shimon Liashi, filed the lawsuit in March after payments for December and January were missed. Gordillo did not file a response to the suit, which remains pending. The apartment has since been rented to another tenant.

Critics have pointed to Gordillo's advocacy for rent abolition, a movement supported by some city housing officials, as contradictory to his alleged failure to pay rent. Gordillo has previously stated that his long-term socialist goals include abolishing landlords and rent, viewing housing court as a harm mitigation measure rather than a solution.

Concerns have also been raised about Gordillo's public persona. The New York Post reported that Gordillo, who has called for an end to double-digit real estate returns, was previously removed from an electricians' union for failing to pay dues, despite basing part of his political identity on being a "union electrician." He also reportedly sought a $95,000 annual salary for his DSA leadership position.

Prior to his current role, Gordillo worked at the Greene Naftali gallery between 2016 and 2019, listing his occupation as "serf" in campaign donation records. He has also been associated with modeling DSA-branded apparel and has taken luxury vacations with his family, including a South American cruise.

City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino commented on the situation, stating, "The entitlement of these rich DSA kids is bottomless. Even when his parents are paying his bills, he still stiffed his landlord."