Applicant reference check

[Larry T.]

Hello,

If an applicant put down a specific name as their supervisor, and I know that the manager over all the staff is another person, who I know for different unrelated reasons, is it legal for me to contact that manager who would be authorized and inclined to give me the salary of the applicant? (rather than call the name on the application who I believe to be the desk clerk).

In other words, is it within fair housing laws to verify the information with the employer in my own way, or must I restrict verification to the name she listed on the application?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am probably making this too complicated but felt the need to ask you all.