LYNN — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division filed a lawsuit on Wednesday alleging that Peter McCarthy, of Lynn — who operates residential sober homes through his company, Steps to Solutions Inc. — committed acts of sexual harassment and retaliation toward female tenants, in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
The lawsuit alleges that from 2012 through 2019, McCarthy, 49, sexually harassed female residents of his sober homes by offering to reduce or forgive rent, granting extra house privileges or waiving security deposits in exchange for engaging in sexual acts; requesting sexually-explicit photographs and indicating that he would reduce or waive rent in exchange for the images; making unwanted sexual comments; and retaliating and taking adverse housing actions against residents who reported his conduct.
Acting U.S. Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell said it is disappointing that a landlord — who is supposed to be helping vulnerable women beat drug addiction — was allegedly sexually harassing them and offering to reduce their rent in exchange for sex.
“Thankfully, the Fair Housing Act gives us effective tools to stop such despicable conduct and protect those who are being preyed upon,” Mendell said. “People who have experienced this kind of sexual harassment might be reluctant to report it, but we need to hear from them. Reporting sexual harassment is essential to stop and prevent sexual harassment.”
The lawsuit seeks a court order to prevent future discriminatory conduct, as well as monetary damages to compensate the victims.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said the Fair Housing Act’s promise of nondiscrimination applies to everyone, and the Department of Justice will “not tolerate landlords who abuse their power and will continue to vigorously pursue allegations of sexual harassment.
“At a time when our country is experiencing record numbers of deaths related to drug overdoses, it is particularly disturbing to see sexually-harassing conduct targeted at individuals who are in recovery,” Clarke said.
The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative, launched in October of 2017, is led by the Civil Rights Division — in correlation with the U.S. Attorney’s offices across the country — to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or other people who have control over housing.
Since its launch, the Justice Department has filed 22 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing.
Individuals who have information about this case can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office by calling 617-748-3274, by emailing [email protected] or by visiting the case webpage.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual harassment by a landlord, building staff member or housing facilitator, call 1-844-380-6178, email [email protected] or visit https://www.justice.gov/crt/sexual-harassment-housing-initiative-how-report.
