(WWJ) -- The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against a man that owns and manages multiple rental properties in Westland for violating the Fair Housing Act.
According to the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, William Asper allegedly sexually harassed female tenants beginning in 2018. It has reportedly continued to the present day.
“According to the complaint, Asper has offered housing-related benefits in exchange for sexual contact, made unwelcome sexual comments and advances to female tenants, subjected female tenants to unwelcome touching and groping, and taken adverse housing-related actions against female tenants who refused his sexual advances,” a press release said.
The William Aaron Asper Living Trust and REPSA Enterprises LLC are both named as defendants in the lawsuit. Both owned rental properties during his management and the alleged sexual harassment.
“Women should not live in fear when they pay their rent or seek repairs,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce the Fair Housing Act’s prohibition on this conduct.”
The lawsuit was the result of an investigation conducted by the Justice Department and The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General. The press release said it seeks money to compensate those that were harmed by the reported harassment, civil penalties and a court order that will bar future discrimination.
“A man who preys on vulnerable women in need of a home deserves the greatest condemnation,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. for the Eastern District of Michigan. “We will do our best to protect women against gross exploitation.”
Officials said this is part of the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative. The initiative was launched in October 2017. Its mission is to raise awareness and address sexual harassment conducted by people who have control over housing, such as landlords, loan officers and maintenance workers. 52 lawsuits have been filed since its launch, recovering almost $16.2 million for victims.
“It is unacceptable for landlords to threaten or commit sexual harassment or abuse against tenants,” said Special Agent in Charge Machelle Jindra with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG). “Every person deserves to feel safe in their home. HUD-OIG will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold housing providers accountable for this type of horrible conduct.”
Those who are impacted by sexual harassment by a landlord or property manager or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination are encouraged to contact the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line. Their phone number is 1-800-896-7743. Reports can also be submitted online.
More information about the Civil Rights Division can be found here.