Landlords who Exploit Tenants During Pandemic to be Held
Accountable
Today, Peter E. Deegan, Jr., United States Attorney for the
Northern District of Iowa, announced that he will be using all available tools
to combat sexual harassment in housing.
The United States Attorney’s Office will target unscrupulous landlords
who attempt to take advantage of the pandemic by demanding sexual favors or
sexually harassing tenants who, because of the pandemic or for any other
reason, are unable to make timely rent payments.
As a result of the measures taken to slow the spread of
COVID-19, many Iowans have lost jobs or wages.
Some tenants may be unable to make rent payments. While many landlords have responded with
understanding, there are reports of landlords across the country who have
attempted to exploit the crisis by responding to cash-strapped tenants with
demands for sex acts or inappropriate sexual favors. Such conduct is not only despicable and
wrong, it is illegal.
“My office will work with all available partners, including
state, local, and tribal officials, to address sexual harassment in housing,
especially during this national crisis,” said Peter E. Deegan, Jr., United
States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. “We will use every means at our disposal to
investigate, prosecute, and hold responsible anyone who sexually harasses
tenants or prospective tenants.
Combatting sexual harassment associated with housing has been a priority
for the Department of Justice for years and it remains a priority during this
unique time in history. Such conduct
cannot be tolerated.”
To report instances of sexual harassment in housing,
individuals with knowledge of wrongdoing can call the Department of Justice’s
Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative at 1-844-380-6178 or email
fairhousing@usdoj.gov. More information
is also available at www.justice.gov/crt/sexual-harassment-housing-initiative
and www.justice.gov/crt/page/file/1048341/download.
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