The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a settlement of $325,000 to address claims that a property manager in Davenport, Iowa, sexually harassed female tenants over several years, violating the Fair Housing Act.
Federal prosecutors indicated that this settlement resolves a lawsuit initiated in January 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa against Kurt Williams, a veteran property manager, and Gearhead Properties LC, the owner of the rental units where the alleged harassment took place.
The Justice Department reported that Williams engaged in sexual harassment of female tenants for over twenty years at various residential properties throughout Davenport. The lawsuit claimed that his behavior included making inappropriate sexual remarks and advances, exposing himself, and soliciting sex or sexual favors in return for housing perks like lower rent. Additionally, prosecutors noted that Williams retaliated against tenants who spurned his advances by starting eviction processes or neglecting necessary repairs.
As part of the settlement, the defendants are required to pay $315,000 to the tenants affected by the harassment, along with a $10,000 civil penalty to the United States. The agreement also permanently prohibits Williams from contacting the impacted tenants and from managing any residential rental properties in the future.
“A home should be a place of security and comfort, not fear,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, adding that the department will continue to pursue landlords and property managers who exploit tenants.
Gearhead Properties was named in the lawsuit under allegations that it was legally responsible for Williams’ conduct as his employer or agent.
The case is part of the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative, launched in 2017. Since then, the department has filed more than 50 lawsuits and recovered nearly $17 million for victims nationwide, according to federal officials.
