HUD ANNOUNCES CONSENT ORDER RESOLVING SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE AGAINST SOUTH DAKOTA PROPERTY MANAGER

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it has settled a Fair Housing Act suit against a South Dakota property manager. The Consent Order resolves a claim that the property manager sexually harassed a female tenant. Read the Consent Order here.

The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability. Sexual harassment is a form of illegal sex discrimination.

"A home is a place where every person should feel safe and secure," said Gustavo Velasquez, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "Sexual harassment in housing violates not just the sanctity of one's home, but also the law. HUD will continue to take action to protect the fair housing rights of sexual harassment victims and ensure that no woman is forced to endure unwanted sexual advances in order to keep a roof over her head."

The Consent Order was entered by a HUD administrative law judge on April 8, 2016. Respondents Carrol Goodsell, a South Dakota property manager, and his company, Goodsell General Contracting, LLC, admitted no liability in agreeing to the settlement. Under the terms of the agreement, respondents will pay $24,600 to the female complainant and her family, including her two children and her boyfriend. Respondents also agreed to utilize a third-party to interact with tenants, attend fair housing training, and adopt and distribute a written policy against sexual harassment to current and future tenants.

People who believe they have experienced discrimination may file a complaint by contacting HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Housing discrimination complaints may also be filed by going to www.hud.gov/fairhousing, or by downloading HUD's free housing discrimination mobile application, which can be accessed through Apple and Android devices.

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