Justice Department sues Ohio landlord over alleged sexual harassment of tenants

The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Alfred Falgiani Jr., 72, of Girard, Ohio, alleging he sexually harassed and retaliated against female tenants at rental properties he owns and manages in and around Girard, in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

According to the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Falgiani sexually harassed female tenants beginning in 2008. The complaint alleges he offered housing-related benefits in exchange for sexual contact, made unwelcome sexual comments and advances toward female tenants, subjected them to unwelcome touching and groping, and took adverse housing-related actions against female tenants who refused his sexual advances.

“When landlords exploit their position of power to harass or intimidate tenants, they violate the law,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. Dhillon said the department “will continue to hold accountable those who abuse vulnerable residents and will work tirelessly to ensure that tenants can live free from sexual harassment and coercion.”

U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio also weighed in, saying “no one should have to live in fear of a landlord making highly inappropriate advances.” Toepfer said housing owners and managers who “engage in loathsome behavior and infringe on a person’s right to feel secure in their own home will face justice.”

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for those harmed by the alleged harassment, civil penalties to vindicate the public interest and a court order barring future discrimination, according to the Justice Department.

Individuals who believe they may have experienced sexual harassment or other housing discrimination at rental properties owned or managed by Falgiani, or who have relevant information, are encouraged to call the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-833-591-0291. Callers should press 1 for English, press 2 for Sexual Harassment and then press 4 to leave a message related to Falgiani. Individuals may also email Talk.Falgiani@usdoj.gov or submit a report online.

The lawsuit is part of the department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative, which launched in October 2017 to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and others who have control over housing. Since the initiative began, the department said it has filed 54 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered more than $19 million for victims.