Department of Justice Seal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CR

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2000

(202) 514-2007

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-1888


JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUES OWNERS AND FORMER MANAGER OF

NEW HAMPSHIRE APARTMENT COMPLEX FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT


WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department today sued the owners and the former manager of a low income apartment complex in Manchester, New Hampshire for allegedly sexually harassing female tenants.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Concord, alleges that Albert Beland, former manager of an 11-unit apartment complex located in Manchester, subjected female tenants to repeated and unwelcome sexual comments, sexual touching, and in some cases, sexual assaults. It also alleged that Beland demanded sexual favors from female tenants, and evicted or otherwise retaliated against women who did not submit to his sexual advances. The suit alleges that the owners of the apartments knew or should have known of the harassment and failed to take action to stop or prevent the abuse.

"Sexual harassment in housing is an egregious violation of a woman's right to fair housing. In this case, the abuser has targeted particularly vulnerable women with limited options for alterative housing." said Bill Lann Lee, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.

One of the former tenants filed a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development alleging sexual harassment. After investigating the complaint, HUD referred the matter to the Justice Department, which filed its complaint today on behalf of the individual complainant. In addition, the Justice Department also charged the defendants with engaging in a practice of discrimination against other female tenants at the apartments.

Today's suit seeks monetary damages to compensate the victims for injury caused by the harassment , civil penalties and punitive damages, and a court order barring future discrimination. "The manager's superior position of power is exploited and abused when he pressures women to accept his sexual advances by threatening to take away their shelter if they do not comply," added Mr. Lee. "The Justice Department has zero tolerance for sexual harassment in housing and will vigorously prosecute landlords who engage in this type of discrimination."

Named as defendants are Albert Beland, the former resident manager; Richard E. Mills and Richard E. Mills d/b/a Chestnut Properties, the owners of the property.

###

00-325