Douglas S. Waterbury, Sexual Harassment, New York 2024

In a shocking case of egregious sexual harassment, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, Grant C. Jaquith, has filed a lawsuit against Douglas S. Waterbury, a residential property owner and landlord in the Oswego area. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, alleges that Waterbury subjected female tenants and potential tenants to unwelcome sexual advances, pressure to engage in sex acts, and even unwelcome sexual contact.

Not only has Waterbury been accused of these heinous crimes, but his wife and business partner, Carol A. Waterbury, has also been named as a defendant. Additionally, the lawsuit targets two residential property companies, Ontario Realty Incorporated and E&A Management Co., for their alleged complicity in Waterbury’s misconduct.

According to the complaint, Waterbury’s conduct has been ongoing since at least 1990, with numerous female tenants and potential tenants being subjected to his egregious behavior. The lawsuit alleges that Waterbury demanded or pressured women to engage in sex acts in exchange for rental housing, refused needed maintenance services, and made unwelcome sexual comments and advances.

In a statement, Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division emphasized the importance of combating sexual harassment in housing. “Subjecting tenants and those looking for housing to harassment and demands for sex is unacceptable,” Gore said. “Combatting sexual harassment in housing is among the Department’s top priorities. As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act this month, the Civil Rights Division stresses its commitment to tackling this scourge, which strikes at the heart of access to fair housing, free from harassment and other forms of illegal discrimination.”

Since January 20, 2017, the Justice Department has filed or settled nine sexual harassment cases, recovering over $1.6 million for victims of sexual harassment in housing.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual harassment at the hands of Douglas Waterbury, Carol Waterbury, Ontario Realty Incorporated, or E&A Management Co., contact the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743.

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