Lexington landlords accused of sexual harassment of tenants settle for $850,000
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- DOJ sued Lexington landlords, alleging 20+ years of sexual harassment under Fair Housing Act.
- Defendants will pay $845,000 to tenants plus a $5,000 civil penalty (total $850,000).
- Settlement bars them from contacting tenants, permanently managing rentals, and mandates training.
Two Lexington landlords accused of the sexual harassment of female tenants have agreed to an $850,0000 settlement, according to a Feb. 18 news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The U.S. Department of Justice sued Adnan and Mohammed Shalash in November 2024 in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Kentucky alleging the two men sexually harassed tenants in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination.
The lawsuit was later amended in June 2025.
The U.S. Justice Department alleged the sexual harassment started more than 20 years ago.
“For at least 20 years, Adnan Shalash has sexually harassed numerous female tenants by offering housing-related benefits in exchange for sexual contact, making unwelcome sexual comments and advances, entering their homes without permission, subjecting them to unwelcome touching and groping, and taking adverse housing-related actions against those who refused his sexual advances,” a November 2024 Justice Department overview of the case stated.
The defendants must pay $845,000 to tenants who were harmed and a $5,000 civil penalty to the United States, according to the settlement agreement.
It’s not clear how many tenants will receive compensation.
The lawsuit also named as defendants 17 owners of rental properties managed by Adnan and Mohammed Shalash, including Fox Den Properties LLC and Griffith Market Inc. The lawsuit alleged these defendants are vicariously liable for the sexual harassment committed by Adnan and Mohammed Shalash.
The settlement agreement bars Adnan and Mohammed Shalash from contacting tenants harmed by their harassment, permanently bars them from managing residential rental properties, and mandates training and the adoption of policies and procedures to prevent future discrimination at residential rental properties owned or managed by either defendant.
“The harm caused by decades of the defendants’ alleged sexual harassment, which often targeted female tenants perceived as vulnerable because of their need for housing, is difficult to quantify,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul C. McCaffrey for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This settlement provides some measure of justice for those victims, and aims to eliminate future harassment perpetrated by these defendants against their tenants.”
Kentucky Fair Housing Council and the U.S. The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General participated in the investigation that uncovered the evidence leading to the lawsuit.
If you are a victim of sexual harassment by another landlord or property manager or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination, call the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 or submit a report online.
