Yet Another Minnesota Landlord Settles Sexual Harassment Case

Female tenants in Minnesota appear to have it rough. According to a press release from the United States Department of Justice, landlords Thomas and Dawn Fischer of Minnesota have agreed to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit for $240,000. The announcement comes scarcely two months after landlord Ronald Bathrick, also based in Minnesota, settled a similar sexual harassment lawsuit for $400,000.

The suit was brought about by the federal government and alleged that Thomas Fischer had sexually harassed female tenants living on his properties by subjecting them to unwanted verbal advances and unwanted physical touching. The Department of Justice claimed that Fischer's actions were a violation of the Fair Housing Act.

Fischer was also accused of entering the female tenants homes without notifying them of his intent to do so and without their permission. Thomas Fischer's wife, Dawn Fischer, was found to be financially liable for the harassment because she is co-owner of the properties that the harassment occurred on.

One female tenant claimed that Fischer had forcibly fondled her breasts, and did the same to her genitalia when she was unable to move away from him due to an injury to her tail bone. Fischer also allegedly told the woman not to report him because her status as a single mother on public assistance would ensure that she would not be believed. Other female tenants made similar accusations.

One female charged that Fischer had offered to let her "work off" her rent if she allowed him to grope her breasts.

Rena J. Comisac, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division in the Department of Justice had this to say regarding the settlement: ""It is intolerable that women are sexually harassed in their own homes, by the landlord who holds the key to their front door. The Department of Justice will continue to prosecute these cases vigorously."