Feds Sue Landlord Venkatachalam Mani For Sexual Harassment And Retaliation

India-West News Desk

HARRISBURG, PA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has filed a federal lawsuit against State College landlord Venkatachalam Mani, accusing him of sexually harassing a female tenant and retaliating against her after she rejected his alleged advances, in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

The tenant filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which investigated the allegations and issued a charge of discrimination. After the tenant elected to have the case heard in federal court, HUD referred the matter to the Department of Justice.

According to the lawsuit, Mani repeatedly made unwanted sexual advances toward the tenant, sexually assaulted her after she rejected him, then retaliated over several months by showing up at the leased property uninvited and refusing to complete required maintenance.

The lawsuit also says Mani refused to repair the home’s furnace after the tenant rejected his advances, leaving the family without heat during freezing weather and ultimately forcing the tenant and her children to move out after the furnace caught fire.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for the tenant and her children, along with a court order barring future discrimination.