United States Attorney’s Office sues Los Angeles Property Manager as an individual and the apartment property owners for sexually harassing female tenants

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The justice department has filed a law suit against the managers and owners of two apartment buildings in Westlake, Los Angeles for allegedly violating federal law by sexually harassing their female tenants for more than a decade.

The complaint was filed in United States District Court in Los Angeles, and it states that Ramin Akhavan, Filomeno Hernandez, Bonnie Brae Investment Services LLC, and Westlake Property Services LLC had all violated the Fair Housing Act.

The Lawsuit alleges that Hernandez made unwanted sexual advances upon his female tenants including unconsented touching as well as offering decreased or late rent in exchange for sex. He even went as far as to enter the tenant’s homes without permission. These instances have been reported to have been going on since about 2006.

“Sexual harassment of vulnerable women is unacceptable, and we will not tolerate this behavior by any landlord or property manager,” said Nick Hanna, the United States Attorney for the Central District of California. “Those who abuse their positions of power will be held accountable under the Fair Housing Act.”

In October 2017, the Department of Justice launched an initiative to combat sexual harassment in housing. In April 2018, the Department announced the nationwide rollout of the initiative. Since launching the initiative, the Department of Justice has filed 13 lawsuits alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing.

Events like this are avoidable. With skilled harassment prevention training and properly-crafted anti-harassment policies, management should ensure workers correctly report and managers properly investigate, document and resolve various forms of unlawful harassment, discrimination and retaliation.