Pedaline and YLP LLC, owners and managers of a Youngstown, Ohio residential rental property. The lawsuit alleged that Pedaline sexually harassed female tenants over a period of 11 years, from 2009 to 2020. The Justice Department not only holds Pedaline liable for his conduct, but it also contends that YLP is also liable for the conduct. The penalty for this conduct is severe.
Sexual harassment of tenants is discriminatory
The Justice Department’s lawsuit alleged that Pedaline made unwelcome sexual comments to female tenants. He would also enter their homes without consent and touch female tenants without consent. He offered to trade sexual acts for unpaid rent. Female tenants who refused his overtures were evicted or suffered other adverse housing-related actions. The Justice Department called his behavior predatory and discriminatory.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said, “No one should ever have to fear sexual harassment when they sign a lease, pay their rent or simply spend time in their home.”
Consent decree includes fines, civil penalties and more
The consent decree that settles the lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. It includes a $189,000 payment to former tenants who were harmed by the sexually harassing conduct of Pedaline. In addition, Pedaline and YLP are required to vacate any adverse judgments, such as evictions, and to repair the credit of tenants who were evicted for refusing Pedaline. There is also a civil penalty of $10,000. Pedaline is also barred from managing residential rental properties. YLP is required to train their managers on the Fair Housing Act and will be required to report compliance to the Justice Department.
Victims of sexual harassment by their landlords can contact the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 or make an online complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development here.
