WASHINGTON, D.C. (LEX 18) – The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the manager and owner of a rental property in Dayton, Kentucky after multiple allegations of harassment of female tenants.
According to a press release, Gus Crank engaged in sexual harassment of female tenants from approximately 2008 through 2016, by demanding that female tenants engage in sexual acts to keep their housing, engaging in unwelcome sexual touching, offering to reduce monthly rental payments in exchange for sex, making unwelcome sexual comments and advances, making intrusive and unannounced visits to female tenants’ homes to further his sexual advances, and evicting or threatening to evict female tenants who objected or refused his sexual advances.
Penny Crank, the owner of the property, was also deemed liable for Gus Crank’s alleged actions as he operated the rental property on her behalf.
The lawsuit asks for monetary damages to compensate the victims, civil penalties and a court order barring future discrimination.
Individuals can also report sexual harassment and other forms of housing discrimination by emailing the Justice Department at fairhousing@usdoj.gov.
