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Printed Jul 19, 2024 • 2 minute learn
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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland’s legal professional normal filed a civil lawsuit on Friday in opposition to an Japanese Shore landlord and his firm, alleging a sample of gender-based housing discrimination involving sexual harassment and calls for to change intercourse for lease.
The lawsuit, which was filed in Wicomico County Circuit Court docket, is the primary case to be introduced by the legal professional normal’s Civil Rights Division, which was shaped in January.
“For too lengthy predatory landlords have taken benefit of individuals in monetary and housing disaster by abusing their energy as housing suppliers to make sexual calls for of tenants or potential tenants _ typically low-income girls and single moms,” Legal professional Basic Anthony Brown stated. “In Maryland, that ends at this time.”
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Jonathan Smith, who’s chief of the legal professional normal’s Civil Rights Division, stated the allegations started as early as 2018 in models that had been “in deplorable circumstances” that “focused low-income and dealing folks.”
Talking at a information convention with Brown and different officers, Smith stated 5 girls got here ahead to help the legal professional normal’s investigation.
The lawsuit has been filed in opposition to Eric Sessoms and Mt. Vernon Group, LLC for partaking in a sample or apply of gender-based discrimination in housing, the legal professional normal’s workplace stated.
“Our investigation uncovered proof that Sessoms focused girls who had been unhoused and liable to homelessness,” Smith stated.
An legal professional for Sessoms didn’t instantly return a name searching for remark.
The criticism alleges that Sessoms particularly preyed on susceptible girls who had been both experiencing, or liable to experiencing, homelessness. For instance, the criticism says he provided housing advantages, like decreased lease, in change for sexual favors.
“I need to echo Legal professional Basic Brown’s dedication to girls who’re sexually harassed by their landlords. We’ve got heard you, and we’re taking motion,” stated Candace McLaren Lanham, chief deputy legal professional normal. “The ladies on the middle of this case who bravely entrusted us with their harrowing tales are the rationale we’re in a position to search justice at this time in opposition to defendant Eric Sessoms and his firm Mt. Vernon Group, LLC.”
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The criticism additionally alleges that he subjected girls tenants and potential tenants to undesirable sexual advances, unwelcome sexual contact, unsolicited sexual feedback, and different egregious conduct in a discriminatory trend on the idea of his tenants’ and potential tenants’ gender.
Maryland Authorized Assist, the state’s largest supplier of free civil authorized providers, partnered with the legal professional normal’s workplace on the case.
“Maryland is already affected by a tragic housing disaster, impacting so many households — primarily girls with kids — who’re left with too few choices. Landlords, like Sessoms, who take full benefit of ladies in determined conditions and dealer in insidious, gender-based discrimination, can’t be tolerated,” stated Vicki Schultz, the group’s government director.
The legal professional normal’s workplace says different victims can contact investigators by calling 1-833-282-2977 or emailing mdvsessoms↕oag.state.md.us.
The lawsuit seeks injunctive aid, restitution for tenants and potential tenants, civil penalties, and the prices of the investigation and litigation.
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