The U.S. Department of Justice has secured a $1 million settlement against a Lassen County landlord accused of sexually harassing female tenants for over a decade. The settlement resolves a civil lawsuit alleging repeated Fair Housing Act violations by property owner Joel Lynn Nolen, his wife Shirlee Nolen, and their company, Nolen Properties LLC.

Lawsuit Alleges Prolonged Abuse

Filed in February 2023 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, the government’s lawsuit accused Joel Nolen of subjecting female tenants and applicants to a range of abuses. These included unwelcome sexual acts, inappropriate touching, explicit photo solicitations, and retaliation against those who refused his advances.

DOJ Pledges Accountability

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith. “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.”

Settlement Terms Announced

Under the consent order, which still requires court approval, the defendants will pay $960,000 to 19 affected women and a $40,000 civil penalty to the United States. The agreement permanently bars both Joel and Shirlee Nolen from managing residential rental properties and mandates the hiring of an independent property manager.

Additional Protections Required

The settlement also requires the Nolens to implement anti-discrimination training and policies. They must take corrective steps, including vacating discriminatory evictions and repairing the credit records of tenants harmed by Joel Nolen’s harassment.

No Determination of Liability

The Justice Department emphasized that the settlement resolves allegations only, without any finding of liability against the defendants. A previous $100,000 settlement had already been reached with several of Nolen’s co-owners.

Victims Urged to Report

Officials encourage anyone who has faced sexual harassment by a landlord or experienced other housing discrimination to contact the DOJ’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 or submit a report online.

Case Handled by DOJ Team

Assistant U.S. Attorney Emilia Morris, along with Civil Rights Division Trial Attorneys Arielle R. L. Reid and Alan A. Martinson, led the case for the United States.