LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Lexington, Kentucky, landlord was sued by the U.S. Justice Department over sexual harassment allegations and retaliation.
Adnan Shalash is accused of sexually harassing female tenants and retaliating against them if they refused his sexual advances, which the Justice Department said is a violation of the Fair Housing Act.
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status.
Twelve other owners of rental properties managed by Shalash are also named as defendants in the lawsuit.
"Sexual harassment by housing providers is an egregious abuse of power," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, with the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, said in a news release Tuesday. "Women should never feel unsafe in their own homes. The Justice Department is committed to vigorously protecting the rights of vulnerable tenants subjected to sexual harassment and holding housing providers and managers accountable when they violate the law."
The Justice Department said the lawsuit comes after a joint investigation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Inspector General.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to the alleged victims of the harassment, a civil penalty against each defendant, and a court order barring future discrimination.
The Justice Department is asking anyone who thinks they may be a victim of sexual harassment or housing discrimination at properties owned or managed by Shalash, or anyone with information, to call the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-833-591-0291. Reports can also be submitted online by clicking here.
The Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department leads the Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative, which was launched by the Justice Department in 2017. The goal of the initiative is to address and raise awareness of sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or others who have control over housing. So far, 46 lawsuits have been filed by the Justice Department over sexual harassment in housing.
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