A landlord accused of sexually harassing feminine tenants, together with allegedly locking them in his workplace to sexually assault them, can pay $425,000 to victims after the U.S. Attorney’s Office reached a settlement.
Salazar Dos Santos, a Chicopee landlord, has been accused of violating the Fair Housing Act by sexually harassing feminine tenants for not less than 11 years.
The settlement introduced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Wednesday additionally resolves claims in opposition to the Trusts of Salazar Dos Santos and America Dos Santos, which held the properties the place the harassment allegedly occurred.
Under the proposed consent decree, the defendants are required to pay a complete of $425,000 to compensate people harmed by the harassment and a $25,000 civil penalty. The settlement is topic to approval by the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
“Sexual harassment and the conduct alleged here is repugnant and completely unacceptable,” U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins stated in an announcement. “Stable and secure housing is key for constructive outcomes in life.
“Insidiously, sexual harassment and violations in the context of housing often target vulnerable tenants who fear eviction and homelessness,” she added. “Although not present in this case, there are also times that immigration status is the manipulation utilized to target and victimize vulnerable tenants.”
Dos Santos is accused of unwelcome sexual contact, which included coercing feminine tenants to have interaction in intercourse acts, bodily sexually assaulting them, exposing himself, and locking them in his workplace to sexually assault them.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office accused Dos Santos of implicitly providing to offer aid from rental funds in trade for participating in intercourse acts with him, and he allegedly threatened tenants who refused his unwelcome sexual harassment.
Some of the victims had been allegedly sexually harassed dozens of instances for months — one tenant on greater than 40 events — and Dos Santos allegedly evicted some tenants after they refused his advances.
The settlement bars future discrimination and retaliation, requires that property administration obligations be turned over to an unbiased supervisor, mandates the implementation of a sexual harassment coverage, grievance process and Fair Housing Act coaching, and requires detailed reporting relating to property administration actions and compliance with the phrases of the consent decree.
The settlement additionally completely prohibits Dos Santos from taking part in any property administration obligations at any residential rental property.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”