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Landlord in Ohio has to pay a fine of almost $200,000 for sexually harassing tenants

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An Ohio landlord has been fined nearly $200,000 after being accused of sexually harassing several female tenants on his properties.

Joseph Pedaline was accused of subjecting several female tenants to unwanted sexual comments, entering their homes without their consent, and touching them without their consent.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, he also offered to forgive late or unpaid rent in exchange for sexual acts and took “adverse housing-related actions” against female tenants who rejected him.

Pedaline and YLP LLC, which owned and managed residential properties in Youngstown, Ohio, agreed to pay $199,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice alleging that both violated the Fair Housing Act.

“No one should ever have to fear sexual harassment when signing a lease, paying their rent, or simply spending time in their home,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Ohio landlord Joseph Pedaline has paid nearly $200,000 to settle a Justice Department lawsuit over sexual harassment complaints from several female tenants.
Ohio landlord Joseph Pedaline has paid nearly $200,000 to settle a Justice Department lawsuit over sexual harassment complaints from several female tenants. (WKBN)

“Landlords who sexually harass tenants violate the Fair Housing Act, and the Department of Justice will continue to hold landlords accountable for this egregious behavior.”

The Justice Department’s complaint alleges that Pedaline engaged in discriminatory conduct toward multiple women between 2009 and 2020 and alleges that YLP LLC is liable for Pedaline’s discriminatory conduct while it owned and managed the rental properties.

As part of the settlement, Pedaline and YLP LLC must pay $189,000 to former tenants harmed by his conduct, as well as a $10,000 civil penalty to the federal government.

They must also take steps to restore the creditworthiness of tenants who were evicted from their apartments after being turned down for Pedaline’s loans.

He is permanently banned from ever renting a property again, the authority said.

“This decision should serve as a stark reminder to all landlords that they must comply with all aspects of the Fair Housing Act and not engage in discriminatory conduct that endangers the safety and well-being of their tenants,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio.

Individuals who may have been victims of sexual harassment in rental properties owned or managed by Joseph Pedaline or YLP LLC are encouraged to contact the Department of Justice.

If you are a victim of sexual harassment by a landlord or have experienced other forms of housing discrimination, call the Department of Justice’s Housing Discrimination Hotline at 1-800-896-7743, email the Department of Justice at [email protected], or file a report online. For more information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces, visit www.justice.gov/crt.

Reports may also be made by contacting the Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-669-9777 or by filing an online complaint.

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