Susanville landlord accused of sexual harassment settles case for $1 million
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Susanville landlords agreed to a $1 million settlement over harassment claims.
- Nineteen tenants will receive $960,000; $40,000 will go to the U.S. government.
- Settlement requires hiring a manager and implementing anti-harassment policies.
The owners of about 80 rental units in the Susanville area have agreed to settle a federal sexual harassment lawsuit for $1 million, according to federal prosecutors.
Joel and Shirlee Nolen, who live in Tracy but own and manage property in Lassen County, will pay $960,000 to 19 of their tenants and prospective tenants, plus another $40,000 to the federal government, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento said in a news release.
The lawsuit, filed in 2023, alleged that Joel Nolen demanded sexual favors from tenants and prospective tenants, in exchange for such favors as terminating eviction proceedings or forgiving missed payments. It alleged that he engaged in unwanted touching, made unwelcome sexual comments and solicited explicit photographs.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home,” Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith said in the news release. “My office will continue to hold accountable any landlord who enables or engages in sexual harassment or retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act.”
The lawsuit was part of an effort by the Justice Department to stop landlords from demanding sexual favors from tenants.
As part of the settlement, the couple has agreed to hire an independent property manager for their buildings, and put into place harassment training and policies. They are barred from actively managing properties themselves and must take steps to reverse wrongful evictions and damage to tenants’ credit that resulted from the harassment, the news release said.
In agreeing to the settlement, the couple did not admit wrongdoing, the news release said.
The attorney listed on court documents as representing the Nolens did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
