On Wednesday, March 21, 2018, the Justice Department announced that it had filed a lawsuit against John and Susan Klosterman. The Justice Department alleges that female tenants in residential rental properties belonging to the Klostermans in Cincinnati, Ohio were subjected to sexual harassment, coercion, intimidation and threats in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act. The defendants own and manage properties where the illegal conduct occurred.
The lawsuit alleges that John Klosterman sexually harassed female residents from at least 2013 through the present. The complaint claims that he engaged in harassment, which included making unwelcome sexual advances and comments, offering to reduce rent or overlook late or unpaid rent in exchange for sex, evicting or threatening to evict female tenants who turned down his sexual advances, and entering the homes of female tenants without their consent.
The lawsuit alleges that Susan Klosterman is also liable, because John Klosterman managed the properties on her behalf, while he engaged in the illegal activities. The Justice Department’s lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate the victims. These allegations must be proven in federal court. Additional information can be found here.
