Housing Discrimination

HUD CHARGES COLORADO LANDLORD WITH HARASSMENT AND RETALIATION

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has charged Vernon Morgan, the owner of a house in Greeley, Colorado, with discrimination for subjecting a female tenant to harassment and retaliation because of sex. Read HUD’s Charge.

HUD’s Charge alleges that Morgan harassed the tenant because of her sex. His harassing conduct allegedly included frequent unwelcome invitations to meals, trips, and other activities; sexual and/or gendered innuendos, comments, and gestures; derogatory and belittling comments; and peering into the tenant’s windows from outside the property. The Charge alleges further that after the tenant told Morgan that his conduct was unwelcome and was sexual harassment, she sought a protection order against him and reported the harassment to the police. Morgan then retaliated against the tenant and tried to evict her. The Charge also alleges that because of Morgan’s illegal actions, the tenant was forced to vacate her home.

A U. S. Administrative Law Judge will hear HUD’s charge unless any party to the charge elects 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 tenant for her losses as a result of the discrimination. The judge may also order injunctive relief and other equitable relief, to deter further discrimination, as well as payment of attorney fees. In addition, the judge may impose civil penalties to vindicate the public interest. If the federal court hears the case, the judge may also award punitive damages to the complainant.

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Source: December 8, 2022 HUD Press Release.