U.S. Department of Justice Sues Property Manager for Two Decades of Sexual Harassment Against Female Tenants

Lexington, Kentucky – The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against property manager Adnan Shalash, accusing him of violating the federal Fair Housing Act by engaging in a systemic pattern of sexual harassment against female tenants over the course of two decades. The suit was filed on November 19, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for Lexington.

The lawsuit details allegations that Shalash, who has managed or owned more than 100 residential rental properties in the area—including single-family homes and apartment complexes—harassed numerous women by offering housing-related benefits, such as reduced rent, in exchange for sexual favors. Female tenants who refused his advances reportedly faced threats of eviction.

According to the Justice Department, the harassment included the making of unwelcome sexual comments and advances, entering tenants’ homes without permission, and inappropriate touching. The complaint also mentions instances where Shalash used his keys to enter apartments while women were showering or late at night, claiming to conduct maintenance.

The lawsuit names not only Shalash but also 11 property owners associated with the homes he managed, including corporate entities like Fox Den Properties, Happy Tenants, and Griffith Market. Most of the defendants are said to be Shalash’s relatives, each facing allegations of having tenants who were harassed by him. The lawsuit asserts that these property owners “knew or should have known” of the pervasive harassment yet failed to take action to address it.

The Justice Department described this case as the product of a collaborative investigation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Carlton Shier IV, emphasized the critical need for enforcing the Fair Housing Act to protect victims of such abuses and advocate for safe living conditions.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, of the Civil Rights Division, reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to holding housing providers accountable for abuses of power, stating, “Women should never feel unsafe in their own homes.”

The suit seeks monetary damages for the victims and civil penalties against the property owners, along with a court order to prevent future discrimination.