Justice Department Files Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Iowa Landlord for Sexually Harassing Tenants

 

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Kurt Williams and Gearhead Properties LC, of Davenport, Iowa, for sexually harassing female tenants in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Williams has managed residential rental properties in Davenport since at least 2010.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, alleges that, since at least 2010, Williams subjected female tenants to unwelcome sexual contact, exposed his genitals to female tenants, made requests for sex in exchange for reduced rent or other housing benefits, and evicted tenants when they did not give in to his sexual advances.

“Landlords who target vulnerable women by repeatedly demanding sex for themselves and their friends and retaliating against those who refuse with eviction actions and refusals to make repairs show an egregious abuse of power,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department remains committed to protecting tenants’ right to live in and access housing free of sexual harassment. We encourage survivors of sexual harassment to speak out so that we can vindicate their fair housing rights.”

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, civil penalties to vindicate the public interest, and a court order barring future discrimination. The lawsuit is the result of a joint investigative effort with the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG).

The FHA prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. It also prohibits sexual harassment, a form of sex discrimination. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental properties owned or managed by Kurt Williams or Gearhead Properties LC, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, may contact the Justice Department by calling the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa at (515) 473-9300. Individuals may also email the Justice Department at fairhousing@usdoj.gov or submit a report online. Reports also may be made by contacting HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or by filing a complaint online.

Read the January 17, 2025 DOJ press release.

HUD Charges Landlord with Disability Discrimination

 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has charged Ronit Mecham and Voyl “Tom” Mecham, the owner and property manager of a dwelling in Jamestown, New York, with violating the Fair Housing Act by refusing to allow a tenant with a disability to live with her assistance animal. Read the charge here.

The Fair Housing Act outlaws discrimination based on disability. Such discrimination includes refusing to provide reasonable accommodation so that persons with disabilities can enjoy their housing. A reasonable accommodation includes waiving a “no pet” policy for assistance animals, which was violated in this case. The Act also prohibits statements that indicate a preference or limitation based on disability.

“Assistance animals provide people with disabilities the support they need to enjoy the benefits of their housing,” said HUD’s Principal Assistant Deputy Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD is committed to zealously enforcing the Act to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities.”

HUD’s Charge alleges that Respondents denied the tenant’s request for an assistance animal and then required her to either terminate the lease early or leave when the lease term ended. Although the tenant offered to submit medical documentation supporting her request, the owner-managers stopped communicating with her instead. The charge also alleges that the owner-managers made comments indicating a preference for non-disabled tenants.

A U.S. Administrative Law Judge will hear HUD’s Charge unless either HUD or the accused owner-managers chooses to have the case heard in federal district court. If an administrative law judge finds, after a hearing, that discrimination has occurred, the judge may award damages to the individuals for their losses as a result of the discrimination. The judge may also order injunctive relief and other equitable relief to deter further discrimination, payment of attorney fees, and civil penalties. If the federal court hears the case, that judge may also award punitive damages to the complainant.

People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 (voice) 800-927-9275 (TTY) or the U.S. Department of Justice at (800) 896-7743 or 202-514-4713. More info is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing and www.justice.gov. Materials and assistance are available for persons with limited English proficiency. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact HUD using the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

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Sources: 

HUD press release email, September 18, 2023.

Read the September 18, 2023 HUD press release.