A local apartment complex battles accusations that it wouldn't rent to African Americans or families with children. Shady Lane Apartments in Glenville is the target of a lawsuit by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's Office alleging the complex's owners and rental manager violated the federal Fair Housing Act and New York State Law. Monday, the management and even some Shady Lane residents are fighting back. Our Sabina Kuriakose reports.

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GLENVILLE, N.Y. -- "We've had the unfortunate experience of being rejected by landlords because of the color of their skin," said Deana Tope as she stood with her mixed-race family.

Tope now finds herself denying doing just that to others. As the rental agent for Shady Lane Apartments, she is named in a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's Office alleging apartment management discriminated against black people and families with children.

"I feel as though the attorney general has issued a personal attack on my character and my reputation," said Tope.

"We are here this morning to set the record straight and vehemently deny the attorney general's accusation of housing discrimination," said Socha Management VP William Socha.

But the lawsuit filed by the Attorney General's Office says an undercover operation found evidence of discrimination. It even alleges Tope told undercover testers they didn't want children in the apartment and went so far as to ask prospective renters if they planned on having children.

"I'm a woman of color, and I've never been discriminated against here," said one resident who came out in support of Tope and Socha Management at a press conference.

About 100 residents rallied outside Shady Lane Apartments.

"They've allowed us to put child safety locks on our windows. They've been very accommodating," added Melissa Acosta, who lives in the apartment complex with her husband and two young daughters.

Even Tope's son is weighing in on the allegations against his mom, saying, "It doesn't make any sense to me. I know she cares about families just as much as her own."

For their part, Tope and Socha Management are firing back at Cuomo with accusations of their own, saying the lawsuit is politically motivated as Cuomo runs for governor.

Meantime, Cuomo's office said it has audio evidence of the undercover operation on which the allegations are based, saying "This landlord discriminated and they did it on tape. These are exactly the type of cases the attorney general prosecutes and will continue to prosecute."