DOJ Sues Calvert Properties Inc. For Sexual Harassment

Washington — The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against Calvert  Properties Inc. and company president, Harold W. Calvert, alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment of female tenants.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, alleges that Calvert and his company engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on sex. Specifically, the complaint alleges that Harold Calvert subjected female tenants to unwanted verbal sexual advances; unwanted physical sexual advances; forcible physical contact with the sexual parts of his body; inappropriate statements; and threats of eviction when they refused or objected to his sexual advances. The complaint also alleges that Calvert Properties did not take reasonable preventive or corrective measures to curtail and prevent the discriminatory conduct of Harold Calvert.

“Housing is a fundamental need, and no woman should be victimized while trying to obtain shelter for herself and her family,” said Wan J. Kim, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “Landlords looking to prey on their female tenants should be on notice: The Department of Justice has stepped up our enforcement of this immoral and illegal behavior.”  Read more at usdoj.gov