U.S. Department
of Justice
United States v. Tjoelker (W.D. Mich.)
On October 3, 2017, the United States filed a complaint and executed a settlement agreement in United States v. Tjoelker (W.D. Mich.). The complaint alleges that Frank Tjoelker, who owns and rents homes in Grand Rapids, Michigan, engaged in a pattern or practice of sexually harassing actual and prospective female tenants in violation of the Fair Housing Act. The alleged conduct included making unwelcome sexual comments and advances towards them, engaging in unwanted sexual touching of these women and offering housing benefits in exchange for sex acts, and taking or threatening to take adverse housing actions against women who object to his harassment. Under the settlement agreement, Tjoelker will pay $140,000 to compensate ten victims of discrimination already identified by the Department with any additional individuals who are determined to be victims through a process established in the settlement agreement. The settlement agreement also requires the defendant to pay $10,000 as a civil penalty to the United States.
- None