I was in the process of updating the online fair housing continuing education courses offered by my school (www.123ConEd.com), when I came across this recent Michigan Fair Housing Act case. Because Fair Housing is such an important topic I thought that I'd post a summary of this recent case, which was just filed in court four days ago.
On January 29, 2009, the United States Department of Justice filed a new fair housing lawsuit against two Ypsilanti, Michigan, landlords for sexual harassment. The suit was filed against Ronald D. Peterson and Glen E. Johnson, the owner and rental manager, respectively, of 11 single family homes in Ypsilanti, alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment of female tenants. The complaint is an allegation of unlawful conduct. The allegations must still be proven in federal court.
The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, alleges that Mr. Johnson subjected female tenants to discrimination on the basis of sex, including severe, pervasive and unwelcome sexual harassment. The complaint alleges that Mr. Johnson made unwanted verbal sexual advances, entered the apartment of female tenants without permission or notice, granted and denied tangible housing benefits based on sex, and took adverse action against female tenants when they refused or objected to his sexual advances. The complaint also alleges that Mr. Peterson, the owner of the properties, is liable for Mr. Johnson's alleged misconduct, and that he knew or should have known of Mr. Johnson's alleged misconduct but failed to take reasonable preventive or corrective measures. This case is being handled jointly by the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan in Detroit.
The suit seeks monetary damages for victims, civil penalties and a court order barring future discrimination. This case is currently pending.
It is important for all real estate professionals to remember that the federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability. The Act also prohibits sexual harassment, which is something that many real estate professionals do not realize.
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