Kurt Williams, Sexually Harassing Tenants, Iowa 2024

Landlord Accused of Sexually Harassing Tenants, Faces Federal Lawsuit

Kurt Williams, a landlord in Davenport, Iowa, has been accused of sexually harassing female tenants in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, alleges that Williams subjected female tenants to unwelcome sexual contact, exposed his genitals to female tenants, and made requests for sex in exchange for reduced rent or other housing benefits.

According to the lawsuit, Williams has managed residential rental properties in Davenport since at least 2010. The allegations against Williams include evicting tenants when they did not give in to his sexual advances.

“Landlords who target vulnerable women by repeatedly demanding sex for themselves and their friends and retaliating against those who refuse with eviction actions and refusals to make repairs show an egregious abuse of power,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department remains committed to protecting tenants’ right to live in and access housing free of sexual harassment. We encourage survivors of sexual harassment to speak out so that we can vindicate their fair housing rights.”

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, civil penalties to vindicate the public interest, and a court order barring future discrimination. The lawsuit is the result of a joint investigative effort with the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG).

“It is unconscionable for landlords to sexually harass or abuse their vulnerable, low-income tenants,” said Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis of HUD. “The defendant allegedly preyed upon female tenants by seeking sexual acts in exchange for housing benefits and retaliating against them when they refused his advances. Together with our law enforcement partners we will continue to hold landlords accountable for this type of horrible conduct.”

The FHA prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. It also prohibits sexual harassment, a form of sex discrimination. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental properties owned or managed by Kurt Williams or Gearhead Properties LC may contact the Justice Department by calling the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa at (515) 473-9300. Individuals may also email the Justice Department at fairhousing@usdoj.gov or submit a report online.

The Justice Department launched its Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative in October 2017. The initiative, which is led by the Civil Rights Division in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers, and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative in October 2017, the department has filed 48 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $17 million for victims of such harassment.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-files-civil-rights-lawsuit-against-iowa-landlord-sexually-harassing