The U.S. Justice Department announced Wednesday it has filed a lawsuit against Joseph Pedaline, an owner and manager of residential rental properties in Youngstown, alleging he engaged in sexual harassment in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, alleges Pedaline has sexually harassed female tenants at properties he owned or managed in Youngstown since at least 2009.

Attempts to reach Pedaline by phone Wednesday were unsuccessful.

According to the complaint, Pedaline subjected tenants to repeated and unwelcome sexual comments, touched them without their consent, entered their homes without permission and offered to overlook late rent payments, waive rent or perform repairs in exchange for sexual contact.

The lawsuit also alleges Pedaline initiated evictions or threatened to evict tenants who refused his sexual advances.

“No tenant should have to endure sexual propositions, sexual comments or unwelcome physical contact from their landlord,” assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a news release. “Sexual harassment in housing is wrong, immoral and illegal. The Justice Department will continue to hold landlords accountable when they violate federal civil rights laws.”

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, a civil penalty to vindicate the public interest and a court order barring future discrimination.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status.