DOJ sues Green Bay landlord sex discrimination against tenants

GREEN BAY, Wis (WGBW) – The United States Department of Justice is suing a Green Bay Area landlord, alleging he and his business discriminated against tenants based on sex. That is a violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA). 

Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Richard G. Frohling, announced the U.S. Government filed the civil complaint against David Jones and D Jones Properties LLC.

The allegations

A press release says that Jones manages multiple rental properties in the Green Bay area.  The complaint alleges that he engaged in severe, pervasive, and unwelcome sexual harassment of a female tenant. The complaint alleges he made unwelcome sexual comments, grabbed the tenant without her consent, entered the tenant’s home without her permission, and took adverse housing-related actions against the tenant when she asserted her rights under the FHA. 

The FHA prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and family status. 

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages from the landlord to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment and a court order barring future discrimination.

“No one should be forced to choose between safe housing and their right to live free from sexual harassment,” said Frohling. “The Department of Justice is committed to vigorously enforcing fair housing protections and holding housing providers accountable when they exploit their power over tenants.”

Persons who have information that might be relevant to the case, or who believe they’ve been victims of sexual harassment or any other housing discrimination at properties owned or managed by David Jones or D Jones Properties LLC, can contact Assistant U.S. Attorney Nia Schmaltz at 414-297-4516 or Nia.Schmaltz@usdoj.gov.

Jones is presumed innocent until proven guilty.