Richard Bruno, Sexual Harassment, Connecticut 2019

In a disturbing case of abuse of power, Richard Bruno, a New London, Connecticut landlord, has been accused of sexually harassing female tenants and applicants at his rental properties.

The lawsuit alleges that from at least 2011 through 2016, Bruno sexually harassed female tenants and applicants of rental properties owned or co-owned by Bruno, Domco LLC and Domco II LLC.

The harassment allegedly included demanding or pressuring female applicants to engage in sexual acts to obtain rental privileges, 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 U.S. government has reached a settlement with Bruno, Domco LLC, and Domco II LLC, which includes a payment of $350,000 to compensate individuals harmed by the harassment and a $50,000 civil penalty to the United States.

Bruno is permanently prohibited from owning and managing residential rental properties in the future. The property owners must hire an independent property manager to manage their properties, obtain fair housing training, and implement non-discrimination policies and complaint procedures to prevent sexual harassment at their properties.

Bruno has been incarcerated since 2017, serving a 16-year sentence in federal prison following his guilty plea to charges related to producing child pornography.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut stated, ‘Mr. Bruno abused his power as a landlord to sexually harass and victimize his vulnerable tenants for years.’

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division added, ‘No person should ever have to endure sexual harassment in order to get or keep housing.’

Related Federal Cases