A Michigan landlord has agreed to pay $185,000 in damages and a civil penalty to the government to resolve the Fair Housing Act (FHA) lawsuit concerning the sexual harassment of actual and prospective female tenants.
Mohamad Hussein has owned and managed over 15 rental properties in and around Dearborn Heights, Michigan, since 2013, according to the DOJ.
“No one should be denied the opportunity to live in safe and affordable housing because of their refusal to submit to a landlord’s sexual demands,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “When landlords sexually harass their tenants, they deprive tenants of the ability to feel safe and secure in their own homes. The Justice Department is committed to holding predatory landlords accountable to ensure that all tenants are protected from unlawful discrimination.”
The lawsuit, filed in March 2023, alleged that Hussein subjected actual and prospective female tenants to sexual harassment by making unwelcome comments and advances and offered actual and prospective female tenants housing-related benefits in exchange for engaging in sex acts with him.
“Housing is one of our most basic needs, and no one should have to endure sexual harassment in order to keep a roof over their head,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan. “My office is committed to enforcing the Fair Housing Act to prevent all forms of harassment in housing. We appreciate the partnership and support of the Civil Rights Division to advance those efforts here in the Eastern District of Michigan.”
Under the terms of the proposed consent decree, approved Monday by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Hussein will pay $185,000 in damages to eight former and prospective female tenants harmed by the harassment and a civil penalty to the United States.
Read: Woman Shot By Deputy In St. Petersburg After Stabbing 70-Year-Old Man Multiple Times
Hussein will be required to take steps to vacate any retaliatory eviction judgments obtained against these tenants. He will be permanently enjoined from personally managing rental properties in the future and will be required to retain an independent property manager to manage any rental properties he owns.
Finally, the consent decree will require Hussein to implement non-discrimination policies and complaint procedures to prevent sexual harassment at his properties in the future and to take fair housing training.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.