David Jones and D Jones Properties LLC have agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by the Justice Department that accused Jones of sexually harassing a female tenant in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The settlement resolves allegations that Jones violated the Fair Housing Act (FHA) through actions including making unwelcome sexual comments, grabbing the tenant without consent, entering her home without permission, and attempting to evict her after she asserted her rights.
The Justice Department filed its lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on July 24, 2025. The case was referred after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) received a complaint from the tenant, conducted an investigation, and issued a charge of discrimination.
“Women should never feel unsafe in their own homes,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will vigorously protect the rights of vulnerable tenants subjected to sexual harassment and hold housing providers accountable when they violate the law.”
“This settlement sends a clear message that sex discrimination in housing will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Brad D. Schimel for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. “No one should have to endure sexual harassment to keep a roof over their head.”
As part of the agreement, Jones is required to attend fair housing training and will be subject to monitoring by the Justice Department for two years.
Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Craig W. Trainor at HUD stated: “As the Trump Administration’s top fair housing official, I am committed to ending the scourge of sexual harassment in housing and obtaining compensatory justice for the victims who have had to endure it. This settlement makes clear that Secretary Turner’s HUD will aggressively pursue Fair Housing Act violators while ensuring women feel safe and secure in their homes.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nia Schmaltz handled this matter for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
This settlement is part of an ongoing initiative by the Justice Department aimed at addressing sexual harassment in housing situations across the country. Since launching its Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative in October 2017, more than 50 lawsuits have been filed with over $19 million recovered for victims.
Victims or witnesses of sexual harassment or other forms of housing discrimination are encouraged to contact federal authorities through established hotlines or online reporting tools.
