Youngstown landlord accused of sexually harassing female tenants

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A Youngstown landlord is being sued after allegedly sexually harassing a female tenant.

According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, a lawsuit has been filed against Joseph Pedaline, the owner and manager of residential rental properties in Youngstown.

The lawsuit alleges that Pedaline sexually harassed female tenants since at least 2009. A criminal complaint states that Pedaline owns rental properties on Lora Avenue, Ohio Avenue and Fairgreen Avenue in the city. 

According to the complaint, Pedaline repeatedly made inappropriate comments to female tenants, entered their homes without consent, touched them without consent and offered to overlook late rental payments, waive rent or perform maintenance in exchange for sexual favors.

The complaint states that in one instance when showing a female tenant a vacant apartment, Pedaline allegedly locked the door, approached her from behind and began inappropriately touching her and making sexual comments to her.

Another instance involved Pedaline allegedly telling a tenant to help him clean an empty apartment in order to reduce her rent cost, but upon arrival, asking her to have sex with him instead.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Pedaline threatened to evict tenants who refused his sexual advances, even allegedly going as far as changing the locks of tenants who refused these advances.

According to the press release, this conduct is a violation of the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, religion, etc. 

Anyone who believes they are a victim of Pedaline's alleged conduct can call the Housing Discrimination Hotline at 1-833-591-0291 followed by pressing 1 for English, pressing 2 for sexual harassment and pressing 1 for Pedaline's case and leave a voicemail.

You can also email Youngstown.Community@usdoj.gov or file an online report by clicking here.