Illustration for: Justice Department Investigating Landlord Sexual Harassment Allegations Nationwide
AI-generated illustration. Visual interpretation does not represent real individuals or scenes.

Justice Department Investigating Landlord Sexual Harassment Allegations Nationwide

2025-12-17

The BareStory

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating more than a dozen cases of alleged sexual harassment by landlords against their tenants. According to one summary, these investigations are part of the DOJ's Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative, which was established in 2017. Since the initiative began, at least 52 similar federal lawsuits have reportedly been filed against landlords, with 14 federal civil cases currently pending.

As part of this effort, the Justice Department recently filed a civil lawsuit in Michigan against landlord William Asper, alleging violations of the federal Fair Housing Act. In a court filing, government attorneys alleged Asper sought sexual favors from tenants, threatening them with eviction or withholding repairs. The filing claimed that in one instance, Asper told a tenant there were "different ways" to pay rent and touched her without consent.

In a statement, Asper denied the accusations. He claimed the women wanted to be his "girlfriend" and were creating excuses for not paying rent. A formal response to the allegations from Asper had not yet been posted in court, according to one summary.

An assistant U.S. attorney general for civil rights, Harmeet Dhillon, was cited as calling such harassment traumatic for victims and illegal under the Fair Housing Act. A spokesperson for the National Fair Housing Alliance stated that sexual harassment in housing is likely underreported because victims may fear retaliation or eviction. The Justice Department has reportedly secured approximately $1.5 million in damages for victims since January.

Left Perspective

  • The government is conducting a nationwide initiative to combat sexual harassment in housing.
  • Officials allege landlords are illegally exploiting tenants for sexual favors.
  • Advocates believe this harassment is underreported and deeply harmful to victims.

Right Perspective

  • The landlord named in the lawsuit has denied the government's allegations.
  • The landlord claims the tenants had romantic intentions.
  • The landlord suggests the accusations are a pretext for unpaid rent.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• The Justice Department's initiative provides a federal channel for tenants to report sexual harassment, potentially increasing legal protections and lawsuits against landlords nationwide.

• Landlords may face greater legal scrutiny over tenant interactions as the government actively pursues civil lawsuits for alleged violations of the federal Fair Housing Act.

• Tenants who experience harassment may be eligible for financial compensation, as the DOJ has reportedly secured approximately $1.5 million in damages for victims since January.

• These cases may affect landlord-tenant disputes over rent or repairs, as allegations link harassment to threats of eviction or the withholding of necessary maintenance.

Read the story at