A Koreatown condominium proprietor has agreed to pay $130,000 to settle allegations that one among its property managers sexually harassed tenants for almost a decade.
In Might, the U.S. Division of Justice sued condominium proprietor M&F Growth and property supervisor Abraham Kesary, alleging Kesary engaged in unwelcome sexual acts, together with groping, kissing and making an attempt to penetrate feminine tenants at an condominium constructing on Western Avenue.
The lawsuit alleged Kesary additionally supplied to waive or scale back hire and late charges if tenants carried out sexual acts.
Underneath the phrases of the settlement, filed Friday in U.S. District Court docket in Los Angeles, M&F Growth can pay $120,000 to alleged victims, in addition to a $10,000 civil penalty to the federal authorities. It can even be required to rent an impartial property supervisor authorised by the federal government.
As for Kesary, the settlement completely prohibits him from from working in property administration at any rental property and from contacting alleged victims.
“Tenants have the best to reside of their properties free from sexual harassment by their landlords,” Assistant Atty. Gen. Kristen Clarke mentioned in an announcement. “The Justice Division will proceed to vigorously implement truthful housing legal guidelines in opposition to landlords who prey on susceptible residents.”
Neither the homeowners of M&F Growth nor Kesary may very well be instantly reached for remark. Nevertheless, after the federal government filed its lawsuit in Might, a person who picked up a cellphone quantity listed for an Abraham Kesary informed The Instances that he was Kesary and denied sexually harassing tenants.
