search

The Real Deal Logo

Trending

Tides’ original investors may be wiped out by preferred equity dealTides’ original investors may be wiped out by preferred equity dealLA court strikes down SB9 law allowing single-family lot splitsLA court strikes down SB9 law allowing single-family lot splitsMajor developers are converting South Florida malls into mixed-use projectsMajor developers are converting South Florida malls into mixed-use projectsGlossier founder is buyer of $22M Brooklyn townhouseGlossier founder is buyer of $22M Brooklyn townhouse
Residential
Los Angeles

Feds accuse Koreatown property manager of sexual harassment 

Abraham Kesary allegedly offered housing benefits for sex with female tenants

445 S Western Ave, Los Angeles (Loopnet, Getty)
445 S Western Ave, Los Angeles (Loopnet, Getty)

The Justice Department has filed a sexual harassment case against the property manager and owner of a Koreatown apartment building. 

The property manager, Abraham Kesary, is accused of sexually harassing female residents at a rental property at 445 South Western Avenue, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. The property, known as the Western Building, is a 103-unit apartment complex near the corner of 5th Street and Western Avenue. 

Kesary, who lived in the building along with the female tenants, allegedly offered housing benefits in exchange for sex. He is also accused of entering the homes of female tenants without permission and making unwanted sexual advances. The alleged offenses happened between 2012 to 2020, according to the complaint. 

Sign Up for the undefined Newsletter

The owner of the property, M&F Development, is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. M&F has owned the property since 2005, property records show. 

“Mr. Kesary allegedly abused his power as a property manager to sexually harass and victimize vulnerable tenants for years,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement. “Sexual harassment is a violation of the Fair Housing Act, and the Justice Department will do everything in its power to seek justice for victims of discrimination and harassment.”

The Justice Department has been actively pursuing sexual harassment cases against landlords. In March, the agency filed a case against Joel Noel, a rental property owner in Lassen County, in the northeast portion of California. Last week, the agency also agreed to a $450,000 settlement with a Massachusetts landlord accused of harassing and assaulting female tenants.