Defendant Name: Landlords, Crime: Sexual Harassment In Housing, State: Florida, Year: 2024

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – In a shocking turn of events, U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe has launched an initiative to combat the growing issue of sexual harassment in housing. Keefe, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, has vowed to use all the tools at his disposal to pursue landlords who attempt to use the COVID-19 crisis to sexually harass their tenants.

According to sources, the COVID-19 crisis has brought out the worst in some individuals, with some landlords taking advantage of the situation to sexually harass people facing housing challenges. Keefe has urged anyone who faces such harassment while trying to defer housing payments to contact the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative at 1-844-380-6178.

“The COVID-19 crisis has brought out the best in most Americans, but the worst in some. We will vigorously pursue anyone seeking to capitalize on the current crisis by sexually harassing people facing housing challenges,” Keefe said. “Such despicable and unscrupulous behavior is illegal in normal times, and it certainly will not be tolerated now.”

Keefe has emphasized that his office will work with all appropriate federal, state, and local authorities on this issue. In addition to reporting to the Justice Department, individuals may report housing-related sexual harassment locally. The Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office stand ready to take aggressive action against this misconduct whenever it occurs.

Individuals who believe they are victims of sexual harassment by a landlord or other person who has control over housing resulting from the COVID-19 crisis can contact:

o Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative at 1-844-380-6178

o Email: fairhousing@usdoj.gov

o Local authorities

For more information, please visit www.justice.gov/crt/sexual-harassment-housing-initiative or www.justice.gov/crt-espanol/iniciativa-en-contra-del-acoso-sexual-en-la-vivienda. Additional resources can be found at www.justice.gov/crt/page/file/1048341/download.

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