HUD CHARGES MISSOURI LANDLORD WITH SEXUAL HARASSMENT

WASHINGTON - The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has charged a Richmond, Missouri, landlord with violating the Fair Housing Act for sexually harassing a female tenant. The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate against persons based on their race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability or familial status.

HUD charges that 85-year-old Harold Calvert, president of Calvert Properties, Inc., and manager of approximately 16 rental properties, subjected Lanessia Rowland to severe, pervasive, and unwelcome verbal and physical sexual advances. Rowland's children witnessed the unwanted advances on two occassions.

"We will not tolerate landlords who prey on vulnerable female tenants," said Kim Kendrick, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "This charge sends a clear message to all landlords that tenants should never be subjected to sexual harassment and that we will take action against landlords who engage in such despicable conduct." Read more at hud.gov