LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The owners of a Koreatown apartment building where residents say the property manager offered housing benefits to female tenants in exchange for sex and entered their homes without permission have agreed to pay $130,000 in restitution and fines to settle a civil rights lawsuit with the U.S. Department of Justice, officials announced Friday.
The lawsuit alleged that Abraham Kesary, who lived at the apartment building on South Western Avenue, sexually harassed female residents from at least 2012 until at least 2020, offered housing-related benefits in exchange for sexual acts, made unwelcome sexual comments and advances to female tenants, entered the homes of female tenants without their permission, and subjected female tenants to unwelcome sexual acts.
Kesary managed the building on behalf of M&F Development, the property's owner, who was also named as a defendant in the suit. The complaint filed in Los Angeles federal court in May alleges violations of the Fair Housing Act.
A representative for the property owner could not immediately be reached for comment.
Under a consent order filed Friday, M&F Development has agreed to pay $120,000 to compensate individuals harmed by the harassment by Kesary. In addition to the compensation payment, M&F Development agreed to pay a $10,000 civil penalty to the United States, the DOJ said.
The consent order permanently bars Kesary from property management and requires the retention of an independent property manager approved by the DOJ for the apartment building. The settlement also bars future discrimination and retaliation, mandates Fair Housing Act training, and requires extensive monitoring and reporting regarding property management activities and compliance with the terms of the order.
"The lengthy course of sexual harassment against female residents alleged in this case is disturbing and unacceptable," U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement.
"We will continue to be vigilant in holding landlords and property managers accountable for discrimination and harassment, and the Fair Housing Act gives us a powerful tool to seek justice for victims."