Arkansas Attorney General sues landlord for sexual harassment

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin is suing two Jonesboro landlords over allegations that they sexually harassed and assaulted their female tenants.

The landlords, Judy and Charles Warren, owned several properties in the city. Griffin says they violated the Arkansas Fair Housing Act

This law protects tenants from discrimination. Under the law, tenants cannot be discriminated against based on their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. The law’s language mirrors the federal Fair Housing Act, a civil rights law signed by then-President Lyndon Johnson in 1968.

The lawsuit alleges that the two landlords accepted rent reductions in exchange for sexual favors. It also alleges that they forcibly abducted their female tenants and regularly entered their apartments without permission.

“Defendant Charles made unwanted sexual comments to the tenants, touched their bodies without their consent, and demanded sexual acts from them,” the lawsuit states.

One of the allegations involved a woman who was planning to rent a property. She said that while she was filling out the paperwork, Charles Warren touched her breasts and rubbed his penis on her hands. She filed a police report and then complained to the Department of Building and Urban Development. During the investigation, the department found further evidence of abuse in the apartment complex.

The lawsuit details the stories of four women in the complex who accused him of exposing himself to them, sexually groping them, or making lewd comments about oral sex and the size of their breasts.

The lawsuit said the harassment had long-term effects on the tenants.

“The defendants’ conduct described in this complaint caused the tenants fear, anxiety and emotional distress and impaired their ability to secure and retain rental housing for themselves and their families,” the lawsuit states.

Judy Warren is named in the lawsuit because she was also the owner of the property. The lawsuit states that she “knew or should have known” about the harassment and discrimination. One of the victims is said to have subsequently informed Judy Warren about the attack.

Griffin is seeking a jury trial, punitive damages and an injunction against the condo owners. He says the condo owners’ conduct amounts to gender discrimination and harassment.