Federal lawsuit accuses Washington landlord of sexually harassing female tenants
A landlord based out of Washington is being sued by the federal government over accusations that he sexually harassed female tenants and housing applicants at his facilities across Peoria and Tazewell counties.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois in Peoria and stated that Michael J. DeWitte, owner of over 120 facilities across the Peoria area, had violated federal fair housing laws by subjecting women who lived and applied for housing at his facilities to "severe and pervasive" sexual conduct, such as exposing his genitals, offering to strip for tenants, making lewd comments about their bodies and offering to have sex with them in exchange for favors.
According to an initial complaint filed by the U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, DeWitte has been allegedly engaged in sexual conduct against tenants and applicants since 2002, with three specific incidents spotlighted in the suit.
More: Peoria restaurant closes, announces remodel after vehicle crashes into building
One woman told the Justice Department that she had been evicted from one of DeWitte's facilities because she was unwilling to go along with a series of graphic sexual advances during a 10-month period from April 2022 to February 2023. In one instance in a leasing office, DeWitte complimented her breasts then allegedly proceeded to expose his genitalia and perform a sex act on himself.
On other occasions, DeWitte allegedly asked if he could strip for her and requested sex while collecting rent. Eventually, DeWitte ended up rejecting numerous maintenance requests before her eviction, according to the lawsuit.
Another woman said that DeWitte had made sexual comments about her while she was touring a property he ran and offered her a reduced rent in exchange for sex. In one instance, DeWitte made lewd comments about grass after he mowed her lawn. Similarly to the first woman, DeWitte allegedly refused maintenance requests after she rejected his advancements.
The woman ended up having a rat problem in her residence and her request for an exterminator was rejected. In one instance, DeWitte asked that the woman leave her boyfriend and date him, which she refused, the suit says.
Another woman reported that DeWitte exposed himself to her while she was touring a property and also offered her a reduced rent in exchange for sex. Over the course of several months from late 2015 to early 2016, DeWitte allegedly made lewd comments about the woman, her body and his own sexual exploits.
The Justice Department is seeking an order that would rule DeWitte of being in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits sexual discrimination against tenants. In addition, it seeks to prevent DeWitte and others working for him from committing actions that would discriminate on the basis of sex in selling or renting residences that he runs.
They also ask that monetary damages, civil penalties and other kinds of relief be awarded to anyone affected by DeWitte's alleged conduct.
No date has been set for an initial hearing in this case. Senior District Judge Joe Billy McDade will preside over the proceedings.
Gregory Harris, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, said in a news release that his office was ready to listen to the stories of any other tenants affected by DeWitte's alleged actions.
"No one should ever be asked to trade their body for a home," Harris said. "I urge any other tenants alleging discrimination by DeWitte to contact my office. When landlords abuse their power and attempt to take advantage of the vulnerable in violation of civil rights laws, my office and the Justice Department stand ready to hold them accountable."
Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, said that the Fair Housing Act protected the freedom of tenants to seek a place to live without fear of sexual retaliation.
"Landlords cannot use their position of power to sexually harass someone who simply wants a place to live," Clarke said. "The Fair Housing Act protects tenants’ right to housing free of any kind of sexual advance or harassment. We encourage survivors to speak out so that we can vindicate their fair housing rights."
More: Peoria man sentenced to prison for 2022 fatal shooting at barbecue
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Washington landlord faces sexual harassment allegations in lawsuit
