U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady Requests Public to Report Sexually Predatory Housing Practices Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

PITTSBURGH - U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady is asking anyone who has witnessed or experienced sexual harassment by a landlord, property manager, maintenance worker, or anyone with control over housing to report that conduct to the Department of Justice.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted the ability of many people to pay rent on time and has increased housing insecurity. The Department of Justice is investigating reports of housing providers trying to exploit the crisis to sexually harass tenants. Sexual harassment in housing is illegal, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania stands ready to investigate such allegations and pursue enforcement actions where appropriate.

"While many landlords are responding to these circumstances with understanding and care, trying to work with their tenants to weather the current crisis, others are responding to requests to defer rent payments with demands for sexual favors and other acts of unwelcome sexual misconduct," stated U.S. Attorney Brady. "Such behavior is despicable, illegal, and will not be tolerated. Tenants should never have to choose between housing and sexual harassment."

Launched in 2017, DOJ’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is an effort to combat sexual harassment in housing led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. The goal of the Initiative is to address sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or other people who have control over housing.

The Department of Justice enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Act. Many individuals do not know that being sexually harassed by a housing provider can violate federal law or that the Department of Justice may be able to help.

U.S. Attorney Brady encourages anyone who has experienced sexual harassment by a landlord, or other person who has control over housing, resulting from the COVID-19 crisis, to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania by calling (412) 644-3500 or emailing usapaw.civilrights@usdoj.gov.