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Mohamad Hussein, who owns and manages more than 15 rental properties in and around Dearborn Heights, has agreed to pay $185,000 in damanges and a civil penalty to the government to settle a federal Fair Housing Act lawsuit that alleges he sexually harassed actual and prospective female tenants, the Justice Department announced Monday.
"No one should be denied the opportunity to live in safe and affordable housing because of their refusal to submit to a landlord’s sexual demands,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a statement. “When landlords sexually harass their tenants, they deprive tenants of the ability to feel safe and secure in their own homes."
Hussein has owned and managed properites since 2013.
The government lawsuit filed in March 2023 alleges that Hussein subjected actual and prospective female tenants to sexual harassment by making unwelcome comments and advances, according to a Justice Department press release. He also offered actual and prospective female tenants housing-related benefits in exchange for engaging in sex acts with him.
Under the terms of the proposed consent decree, Hussein will pay $185,000 in damages to eight former and prospective female tenants harmed by the harassment and a civil penalty to the U.S. government.
The agreement also requires Hussein to:
- Take steps to vacate any retaliatory eviction judgments against the tenants.
- Stop personally managing rental properties in the future and retain an independent property manager to handle his rentals.
- Implement non-discrimination policies and complaint procedures to prevent sexual harassment at his properties in the future and to take fair housing training.
The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country.
The goal of the department’s initiative is to address, deter and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or others who have control over housing.
Since launching the initiative in October 2017, the department says it has filed 39 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered more than $12 million for victims of harassment.
The Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line is 1-833-591-0291. People can also submit a report online.
Additionally, individuals can contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-669-9777 or file a complaint online.
