Civil Rights Feds, Property Manager Agree To $15K Slam To Settle Allegations That He Sexually Harassed Female Tenants In Violation Of Fair Housing Act

From the U.S. Department of Justice (Washington, D.C.):

• The Justice Department [] announced that property manager Rudy Ferrante agreed to a $15,000 civil judgment against him, to resolve allegations that he sexually harassed female tenants in Portland, Maine.
  
  The department’s complaint alleged that Ferrante subjected his female tenants to unwanted sexual comments and touching, granted tangible housing benefits in exchange for sexual favors and took adverse actions against female tenants when they refused his sexual advances.

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• “The women involved in this case were subjected to intimidating and severe acts of sexual harassment in their homes, where they have a right to feel safe,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “This order sends the message that the Civil Rights Division does not tolerate such conduct and will enforce the right to equal access to housing when it learns of violations of the Fair Housing Act.”
  
  The department began investigating Ferrante after Pine Tree Legal Assistance,(1) a Portland-based legal aid organization, notified the department of sexual harassment complaints it had received about Ferrante.

For the DOJ press release, see Justice Department Obtains Judgment Against Maine Landlord for Sexually Harassing Tenants.

(1) Pine Tree Legal Assistance provides free legal help to Maine people with low incomes, and has offices in every part of the state.