(WAVE/WKYT) – The United States Justice Department announced a settlement in a sexual harassment case against a Kentucky landlord.
Joseph E. Johnson agreed to pay $510,000 to resolve a lawsuit that alleges he sexually harassed tenants who were women. This harassment was a violation of the Fair Housing Act.
“The Justice Department will not tolerate violations of our federal fair housing laws, including landlords’ unwelcome sexual advances and requests for sexual favors,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division in a release. “This settlement demonstrates our commitment to continuing to enforce these laws so tenants remain safe and secure in their homes.”
In Kentucky, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman for the Eastern District of Kentucky said, “No one should have to choose between homelessness and sexual harassment in the place where they should feel safest. Our office is committed to holding accountable anyone who preys on and harasses vulnerable tenants in Eastern Kentucky, and this settlement sends a clear message that sex discrimination in housing will not be tolerated.”
The order was approved by the US District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. The fines include $500,000 for tenants who were harmed by his actions, and $10,000 as a civil penalty. The consent order bars Johnson from managing residential rental properties or contacting tenants harmed by his harassment permanently. The order sets forth training and the adoption of policies and procedures to prevent future discriminatory events in his rental properties.