PEORIA, Ill. – The attorney for a Washington landlord named in a federal civil rights lawsuit claims the allegations against his client are – in his word – “bogus.”
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Peoria, accuses Michael DeWitte of sexually harassing female tenants and housing applicants.
25 News reports defense attorney Kevin Sullivan claims the complaints against DeWitte come from unidentified accusers who may have been evicted for not paying rent.
Sullivan says DeWitte denies the allegations and will work with federal attorneys to learn the identities of his accusers and why they made their allegations.
DeWitte has managed residential properties in Peoria and other Central Illinois counties since at least 2002.
The lawsuit alleges that DeWite subjected female tenants and applicants to unwelcome sexual harassment that included: sexual contact and comments about their physical appearances, offers to strip for female tenants, removing his pants while giving a tour to a female housing applicant, exposing himself to female tenants, asking female tenants on dates, requesting sex in exchange for reduced rent or other housing benefits, and evicting female tenants when they did not give in to his sexual advances.
Sullivan says being a landlord is DeWitte’s primary employment.
“Michael DeWitte has always cared about and taken care of his tenants and has an outstanding relationship with his tenants, especially his long-time tenants,” Sullivan said in a statement released Friday.
A release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office said the lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate those harmed by the alleged harassment, civil penalties and a court order barring future discrimination.
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