NJ Landlord Who Sough Sex Favors In Exchange For Housing Will Pay $4.5M Settlement

By
Karen Yi
WNYC News | Dec 14, 2021

A New Jersey landlord who allegedly sexually harassed his Section 8 tenants for 15 years has agreed to pay a $4.5 million dollar settlement with the Department of Justice. It's the largest such settlement in the department's history.

DOJ officials say Elizabeth landlord Joseph Centanni preyed on multiple tenants and rental applicants, demanding sexual acts in exchange for housing. If tenants refused him, he threatened to evict them. Officials say his victims will be compensated under the settlement. Centanni will also be barred from managing any rental properties in the future. He is separately facing criminal charges from the Union County Prosecutor's Office involving 20 separate victims.

Centanni’s lawyer said the settlement doesn’t admit wrongdoing and his client continues to deny the allegations against him. 

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