Javier Salazar Jr., Ricardo Covarrubias, Javier Salazar Sr., Sexual Harassment, California 2024

A Bakersfield landlord, his son, and a maintenance worker are facing federal charges for allegedly sexually harassing and retaliating against a female tenant.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California filed a lawsuit against Javier Salazar Jr., Javier Salazar Sr., and Ricardo Covarrubias, alleging that they violated the Fair Housing Act by engaging in sexually harassing behavior and retaliation.

According to the complaint, Salazar Jr., a maintenance worker, repeatedly asked the tenant to engage in sexual acts with him, described the sexual acts he wished to engage in with her, and persistently commented on her appearance. He also touched the tenant's body without her consent and took digital photographs of framed print pictures in her home.

After the tenant reported the harassment, Salazar Sr., the property manager and Salazar Jr.'s father, refused to fix a leaking gas line in her dwelling, causing her to go without heat for one month and forcing her to move out.

Covarrubias, the property owner, is alleged to be vicariously liable for the Salazars' conduct because they were his agents when they engaged in sexual harassment and retaliation.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate the victim and a court order barring future discrimination.

The Justice Department's Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorney's Offices across the country. The goal of the initiative is to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers, or other people who have control over housing.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/justice-department-files-sexual-harassment-lawsuit-against-owner-manager-and