Sexual Harassment in Rental Properties Rocks Cincinnati Community
The Justice Department today announced that it has filed a lawsuit against John and Susan Klosterman alleging that female tenants in the Klostermans’ residential rental properties in Cincinnati, Ohio, were subjected to sexual harassment, coercion, intimidation, and threats in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act. Each of the defendants owns or manages properties where the illegal conduct occurred.
According to the complaint, John Klosterman sexually harassed female residents at the rental properties from at least 2013 through the present. He engaged in harassment that included, among other things, making unwelcome sexual advances and comments, engaging in unwanted sexual touching, offering to reduce rent and overlooking or excusing late or unpaid rent in exchange for sex, evicting or threatening to evict female tenants who objected to or refused sexual advances, and entering the homes of female tenants without their consent.
The lawsuit further alleges that Susan Klosterman is liable under the Fair Housing Act because John Klosterman managed the rental properties on her behalf when he engaged in the harassment, coercion, intimidation, and threats.
“No woman should have to endure sexual harassment in order to remain in her home,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division. “Sexual harassment in housing is unacceptable and illegal, and landlords should be on notice that the Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce the Fair Housing Act to combat this type of discrimination and to obtain relief for victims.”
The Justice Department has filed or settled eight sexual harassment cases since Jan. 20, 2017, and has recovered over $1.6 million for victims of sexual harassment in housing. Today’s lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate the victims, civil penalties, and a court order barring future discrimination.
Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental dwellings owned or operated by John or Susan Klosterman, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, can contact the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 (press 1 for English, mailbox 9992) or 1-800-896-7743 (press 2 for Spanish, mailbox 6), or email fairhousing@usdoj.gov.
Related Federal Cases
- Kyle Jordan, Sexual Abuse of an Unconscious Person, Ohio 2023 · Alabama
- James Doe, Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Hartford CT, 2024 · Alabama
- Jane Doe Sentenced to 40 Years for Child Sex Exploitation, Ohio, 2023 · Alabama
- Christopher Mota, Trafficking Child Sexual Abuse Material, Rehoboth… · Pennsylvania
- Ohio Cops Nab Predators, Pushers · Virginia
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes