ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — Maryland’s attorney general filed a civil lawsuit Friday against an Eastern Shore landlord and his company, alleging a pattern of gender discrimination in housing, including sexual harassment and demands to trade sex for rent.
The lawsuit, filed in Wicomico County Superior Court, is the first case filed by the attorney general’s Civil Rights Division, which was created in January.
“For too long, predatory landlords have taken advantage of people in financial and housing crisis by abusing their power as housing providers to make sexual demands on tenants or potential tenants — often low-income women and single mothers,” said Attorney General Anthony Brown. “In Maryland, that ends today.”
Jonathan Smith, head of the attorney general’s civil rights division, said the allegations began as early as 2018 in units that were in “deplorable conditions” and “targeted low-income and working-class people.”
During a news conference with Brown and other officials, Smith said five women had come forward to help the attorney general with the investigation.
The lawsuit was filed against Eric Sessoms and Mt. Vernon Group, LLC for engaging in a pattern or practice of gender-based discrimination in housing, the attorney general’s office said.
“Our investigation uncovered evidence that Sessoms targeted women who were homeless and at risk of homelessness,” Smith said.
An attorney for Sessoms in other legal matters said he was not representing him in this case. It was not immediately clear whether Sessoms had legal representation in the civil lawsuit announced Friday.
The complaint alleges that Sessoms specifically targeted vulnerable women who were homeless or at risk of homelessness. For example, the complaint says he offered housing benefits, such as lower rent, in exchange for sexual favors.
“I want to reiterate Attorney General Brown’s commitment to women who are sexually harassed by their landlords. We heard you, and we are taking action,” said Candace McLaren Lanham, Chief Deputy Attorney General. “The women at the center of this case who courageously shared their harrowing stories with us are the reason we are able to seek justice today against defendant Eric Sessoms and his company, Mt. Vernon Group, LLC.”
The complaint also alleges that he exposed female tenants and potential tenants to unwanted sexual advances, unwanted sexual contact, unsolicited sexual comments and other outrageous conduct in a discriminatory manner based on the gender of his tenants and potential tenants.
Maryland Legal Aid, the state’s largest provider of free civil legal services, worked with the attorney general’s office on the case.
“Maryland already suffers from a tragic housing crisis that leaves so many families — primarily women with children — without options. Landlords like Sessoms who take full advantage of women in desperate situations and mediate creeping gender-based discrimination cannot be tolerated,” said Vicki Schultz, the group’s executive director.
The attorney general’s office says other victims can contact investigators by calling 1-833-282-2977 or by emailing [email protected].
The lawsuit seeks an injunction, damages for tenants and potential tenants, civil penalties, and the costs of the investigation and litigation.