The Justice Department has sued Michigan landlord William Asper, accusing him of exploiting his control over nearly two dozen rental units to demand sex and threaten eviction or withheld repairs when tenants refused. The complaint details alleged incidents in 2018 and 2019, including exposure in front of a child. Asper's case is one of at least 52 federal suits since 2017 under the DOJ's Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative; 14 cases remain pending nationwide and the agency has recovered roughly $1.5 million since January.
DOJ Sues Michigan Landlord, Citing Dozens Of Federal Cases Of Landlord Sexual Harassment
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a civil suit accusing Michigan landlord William Asper of using his control over nearly two dozen rental units to demand sexual favors and threaten tenants with eviction or withheld repairs when they refused. The complaint, filed in the Eastern District of Michigan, describes episodes in 2018 and 2019 that prosecutors say include unwanted touching, exposure and coercive threats — sometimes in the presence of a child.
Allegations Against William Asper
Federal attorneys allege Asper told one tenant in 2019 that there were 'different ways' she could pay rent, and that he repeatedly touched her without consent, including pulling her hair, grabbing her buttocks and kissing her head. The complaint also alleges he exposed himself in the tenant's home on multiple occasions — sometimes while her young son was in the room. In a separate incident alleged from 2018, Asper is accused of asking a female tenant to go to a hotel and warning he would serve a 24-hour eviction notice if she did not have sex with him.
Asper has denied the allegations in a statement to CBS News, calling them false and saying: 'I offer low-income housing and people want to blame the landlord or make excuses why they couldn't pay the rent. These women wanted to do more/be my "girlfriend", side chick and that was not going to happen.'
Part Of A Broader DOJ Effort
The Asper suit is one of at least 52 federal civil lawsuits the Justice Department has filed alleging sexual harassment or related misconduct by landlords since 2017. Fourteen such cases are currently pending nationwide. The department's Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative, launched in 2017, aims to hold landlords accountable under the federal Fair Housing Act and to deter further abuse.
Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights: 'It's traumatic for the victims. People may not believe them. And they may have been the victim multiple times.'
Examples, Outcomes And Remedies
Other recent DOJ complaints include allegations that a New York landlord pressured tenants for sex over decades, a Kansas landlord entered a tenant's home unannounced and touched her while she slept, and a Minnesota landlord offered to overlook unpaid rent in exchange for sex. The Justice Department has recovered roughly $1.5 million since January in its housing sexual harassment cases, according to records reviewed by CBS News.
In several resolved matters — including cases in New York, Kansas and Minnesota — settlements required landlords to pay damages and to hire independent property managers, limiting their direct contact with tenants as a condition of the agreement.
Barriers To Reporting And Office Turnover
Advocates say landlord sexual harassment is underreported because victims often fear retaliation or eviction. The National Fair Housing Alliance noted that vulnerable renters, particularly low-income women, may feel they have little recourse.
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, which pursues Fair Housing Act sex-harassment probes, has experienced significant turnover this year. A group called Justice Connection estimates that nearly 75% of career attorneys in the division have departed amid a government downsizing effort. Officials say the housing-focused unit has been less affected and has added staff: Dhillon told CBS News the Civil Rights section has hired about 50 people this year, and she does not believe the housing unit is losing personnel.
What This Means For Tenants
The DOJ emphasizes that the Fair Housing Act bars any quid pro quo or hostile housing environment tied to sex, sexual acts or sexual harassment when it affects renting, continued tenancy or repairs. Civil suits can lead to monetary damages, injunctive relief and changes in landlord practices designed to protect tenants. Housing advocates say each successful investigation or settlement sends a crucial message that such conduct will not be tolerated.
Note: The civil case against William Asper is ongoing. Asper's formal court response had not been filed publicly at the time of reporting.
