Crime & Safety
Worcester Landlord Sexually Harassed Tenants For Decade: Lawsuit
The Justice Department filed the lawsuit against a Worcester landlord and his employee, who is a registered level 3 sex offender.
WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester landlord and his employee are facing a major lawsuit from the Justice Department that claims women tenants were subject to sexual harassment. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the allegations date back to 2009 and continue to present day. Sexual harassment and retaliation are a direct violation of the federal Fair Housing Act.
The landlord in question is Mohan Prashad and his employee David Besaw. Prashad ownded rental properties in two businesses, Savton LLC, and Lanaton LLC. Besaw, a Level 3 registered sex offender in Massachusetts, has been employed by Prashad since at least 2014 to assist with the management and maintenance of his rental properties, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The complaint claims Prashad and Besaw engaged in sexual harassment toward women tenants, including unwelcome sexual advances and comments and engaging in unwanted sexual touching. The lawsuit specifies that Prashad offered tangible benefits—such as reducing rent amounts—in exchange for engaging in sexual acts with him. When women would refuse or speak out against his behavior, Prashad would refuse maintenance services to them or take other adverse housing actions against them, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The lawsuit also highlights that Besaw groped and sexually assaulted women, exposed himself to tenants and made unannounced visits to women's homes to try to further his sexual advances — it was also noted that Prashad monitored some tenants from outside their home and knew of Besaw's actions and never reported them, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate the victims, civil penalties and a court order barring future discrimination.
No one should ever have to choose between housing and sexual harassment,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. "Sexual harassment is illegal under the Fair Housing Act, and my office is committed to achieving justice and compensation for individuals whose civil rights have been violated."
"Such depraved conduct, targeting some of the most vulnerable in our communities, violates the Fair Housing Act and will not be tolerated," said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband.
Individuals who have information about this case can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Unit by calling 617-748-3100 and asking for the Civil Rights Intake Specialist, or emailing usama.victimassistance@doj.gov. Victims of sexual harassment related to housing nationwide can also contact the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative by calling 1-844-380-6178, or through email at fairhousing@usdoj.gov.
