⏱ 2 min read
Danny Bell, a landlord in Somerset, Kentucky, has been accused of sexually harassing his female tenants for over a decade. The allegations include unwelcome sexual touching, comments, and advances, as well as threats to evict tenants who refused his demands. Bell would offer to forgive rent in exchange for sexual contact and even let himself into tenants’ homes without notice or permission. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit in April 2023, and Bell has now agreed to pay $150,000 to settle the case.
The settlement includes $140,000 to be paid to the tenants who were harmed by Bell’s harassment, as well as a $10,000 civil penalty to the United States. As part of the consent order, Bell is barred from managing any future residential rental properties and is prohibited from contacting tenants. The order also governs the sale of Bell’s current residential rental properties.
The Justice Department’s lawsuit alleged that Bell’s actions violated the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on sex, among other factors. The case highlights the importance of holding landlords accountable for their actions and ensuring that tenants feel safe in their homes.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated that tenants should not be forced to choose between safety and keeping a roof over their heads. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman for the Eastern District of Kentucky emphasized that housing should never be used as a tool to exploit vulnerable people in the community.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Sex Crimes
- Defendant: Kentucky
- Location: KY
- Source: DOJ Press Release
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes