David Jones and D Jones Properties LLC have agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve a lawsuit brought by the Justice Department alleging sexual harassment of a female tenant in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The lawsuit, filed in July 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, accused Jones of making unwelcome sexual comments, physically grabbing the tenant without consent, entering her home without permission, and attempting to evict her after she asserted her rights under the Fair Housing Act.
“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 settlement agreement, Jones and his company must pay $50,000 to the affected tenant. In addition, Jones is required to attend fair housing training and will be subject to a two-year monitoring period by the Justice Department.
The case was referred to federal authorities after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which issued a charge of discrimination following its findings.
“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,” said Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Craig W. Trainor of HUD. “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.
The settlement is part of an ongoing initiative by the Justice Department aimed at addressing sexual harassment in housing since October 2017. The department has filed dozens of lawsuits on this issue nationwide and recovered millions for victims.
For those experiencing sexual harassment or other forms of housing discrimination by landlords or property managers, resources are available through both the Department of Justice and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additional information about civil rights laws can be found at www.justice.gov/crt.
