The owners of around 80 rental units in Susanville and its vicinity have agreed to a $1 million settlement to resolve a civil lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that owner Joel Lynn Nolen sexually harassed female tenants and prospective tenants over more than ten years, violating the Fair Housing Act. This settlement addresses claims against Joel Nolen, Shirlee Nolen, and Nolen Properties LLC.
The Department of Justice filed the lawsuit in February 2023 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. It accused Joel Nolen of unwelcome sexual acts and touching, demanding sexual acts to stop eviction proceedings or forgive missed payments, making unwelcome sexual comments, soliciting explicit photographs, and taking adverse housing actions against tenants who rejected his advances.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home,” stated 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.”
According to the consent order awaiting court approval, defendants must pay $960,000 to 19 affected tenants and prospective tenants and a $40,000 civil penalty to the United States. The order permanently prohibits Joel and Shirlee Nolen from managing residential rental properties. They are required to hire an independent property manager, implement training and policies to prevent future discrimination, vacate discriminatory evictions, and repair credit for tenants harmed by harassment.
These resolved claims remain allegations without any determination of liability.
Previously, the department reached a $100,000 settlement with several defendants who co-owned rental property with Nolen.
Victims of sexual harassment by landlords or property managers or those suffering other forms of housing discrimination can contact the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 or submit a report online.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emilia Morris along with Civil Rights Division Trial Attorneys Arielle R. L. Reid and Alan A. Martinson represented the United States in this case.
