Published • loading... • Updated
Justice Department Lawsuit Accuses State College Landlord of Sexually Harassing Tenant, Retaliation
Federal prosecutors say Venkatachalam Mani ignored repair requests after a tenant rejected his advances, and a broken furnace later caught fire.
- On Wednesday, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against State College landlord Venkatachalam Mani, alleging he sexually harassed a female tenant and violated the federal Fair Housing Act by retaliating after she rejected his advances.
- After the tenant rejected his advances in June 2022, Mani allegedly ignored her maintenance requests, failing to repair a broken furnace during freezing temperatures that forced the woman and her four children to vacate the Waupelani Drive property.
- Justice Department attorneys wrote that Mani threatened the tenant by suggesting she get insurance "because the place may go up in flames," while failing to provide assistance after a furnace fire rendered the home unsafe.
- Seeking monetary damages and a court order preventing future discrimination, the lawsuit notes Mani previously pleaded no contest in 2024 to criminal indecent assault and harassment charges, receiving two years probation.
- Part of the Justice Department's Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative, this action addresses landlord misconduct and encourages victims of housing discrimination to report abuse via the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743.
Insights by Ground AI
11 Articles
11 Articles
Indian-Origin Landlord in Pennsylvania Sued for 'Sexually Harassing' Female Tenant
The federal government in the United States has sued Venkatchalam Mani, the owner of a Pennsylvania rental property, alleging that he sexually harassed a female tenant and retaliated against her when she refused his advances. The lawsuit, filed in the US
·India
Read Full Article
US sues Pennsylvania landlord over sexual harassment and retaliation claims
The US government has sued Pennsylvania landlord Venkatchalam Mani for allegedly harassing a tenant and retaliating after she refused him. The case spotlights federal action against sexual coercion and housing discrimination by landlords.
·Noida, India
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left1Leaning Right4Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Right
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Right
57% Right
14%
C 29%
R 57%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
