California Landlord to Pay $2.13 Million in Sexual Harassment Suit

(WASHINGTON) -- A California landlord is being made to pay over $2 million as part of a settlement to a sexual harassment lawsuit brought against him.

The Justice Department announced on Tuesday that Rawland Leon Sorensen, who owns and manages dozens of residential rental properties in Bakersfield, Calif., is being required to pay $2,075,000 in monetary damages to 25 individuals and a $55,000 civil penalty to the federal government, as part of the settlement in the Fair Housing Act lawsuit.

Sorensen has been accused of sexually harassing female tenants and female prospective tenants, in various ways, including exposing his genitals to victims, touching women without their consent and granting and denying housing benefits based on sex.

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