Justice Department sues Pennsylvania landlord over alleged sexual harassment of tenant
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a federal lawsuit against Pennsylvania landlord Venkatchalam Mani, accusing him of sexually harassing a female tenant and retaliating by neglecting essential repairs.
The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has brought a suit in the Middle District of Pennsylvania against landlord Venkatchalam Mani, alleging a pattern of sexual harassment toward a female renter. The complaint details that Mani pursued the tenant with unwelcome sexual touching and, when she rebuffed him, ignored repeated maintenance requests, including a broken furnace that eventually caught fire. The incident left the tenant and her children homeless during winter.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated the behavior breaches the Fair Housing Act, and U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller warned that retaliation for sexual favors will not be tolerated. HUD’s investigation had previously found discrimination, prompting the DOJ to pursue federal action. The case requests compensation for the family and a court order barring Mani from similar conduct.
Why it matters
It underscores federal enforcement of fair-housing laws against landlord abuse.
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