LANDMARK CASE OF ALLEGED GENDER-BASED HOUSING DISCRIMINATION WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY BY MARYLAND ATTORNEY GENERAL ANTHONY BROWN

Wicomico County, MD - Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has reported the first-ever case of housing discrimination based on gender in the State of Maryland. Accusations have been made against a local landlord, Eric Sessoms of the Mt. Vernon Group, alleging that he sexually harassed and exploited multiple female tenants, an act labeled as "egregious conduct" in a recently filed civil lawsuit.

The lawsuit, lodged by the AG's Civil Rights Division on Friday, July 19^th, accuses Sessoms of coercing sex from women in exchange for rent payments. This is the first legal action taken by the Attorney General Office's Civil Rights Division in what is believed will result in others in the future.

In a press conference, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown described the case against Sessoms as groundbreaking. The charges hinge on several incidents, including one case where Sessoms allegedly promised a tenant reduced rent in return for sexual favors.

According to the AG's Office, her refusal of his advances led to an illegal eviction. Another disturbing account from a homeless woman alleges that Sessoms indecently exposed himself to her.

Sessoms' offenses shed light on the power imbalance and victim vulnerability in cases of sexual harassment, particularly between landlords and tenants. Already, five women have raised allegations against Sessoms and the Mt. Vernon Group. However, the AG's Office believes there may be more victims across Maryland and encourages them to come forward.

Sessoms has been involved in property management since 2018, having a presence in Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester Counties. He has previously faced legal action with accusations of managing unlicensed and dangerous properties in Somerset County, per Maryland Legal Aid.

Sessoms and the Mt. Vernon Group now face a lawsuit filed by the Civil Rights Division in the Circuit Court for Wicomico County. The case claims they participated in a pattern of gender-based discrimination in housing.

The investigation found plausible cause to believe that Sessoms violated the Fair Housing Act and Maryland's anti-discrimination laws by subjecting female tenants to unsolicited and relentless sexual harassment.

Attorney General Anthony Brown called attention to a broader issue, stating, "In Maryland, that ends today. This historic filing puts landlords on notice: you cannot sexually harass your tenants. And if you do, the Office of the Attorney General will take action."

"Maryland is already suffering from a tragic housing crisis, impacting so many families- primarily women with children-who are left with too few options. Landlords, like Sessoms, who take full advantage of women in desperate situations and broker in insidious, gender-based discrimination, cannot be tolerated," said Vicki Schultz, Executive Director of Maryland Legal Aid, the state's largest provider of free civil legal services. "We are proud to have partnered with the Attorney General's Civil Rights Division on this case from day one, and we will continue collaborating on behalf of Maryland's most vulnerable people and communities."

The AG's Office is committed to protecting potential victims. Anyone harassed by Sessoms should contact a dedicated hotline at 1-833-282-2977 or email MDVSESSOMS@oag.state.md.us.