Few months ago, a controversy of maintenance workers demanding sexual favors in exchange of home repair broke out in the city of Baltimore and now, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development investigators are working on these allegations.
According to baltimoresun.com, Baltimore Housing Commissioner Paul T. Graziano is currently cooperating with the investigators when they have asked for additional information about the case.
Officials have said that "the federal investigation comes as the Baltimore state's attorney's office has begun a criminal investigation and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City has launched its own review of allegations described in a federal lawsuit filed last month."
Graziano said "The first place where we got real names, real allegations was Sept. 28. We have been working around the clock since that time to address these matters." He also said that he is now aware of the allegations until the women have filed a legal case.
Eleven women have filed the case that alleges maintenance workers demanded sex for repairs at three housing properties: Govans Manor, Westport and Gilmor Homes. The lawyer who filed the case said that they have already alerted the housing authority regarding the issue long before they have filed the case. An affidavit was also submitted detailing that the victims have alerted the authority "at least eight times from 2012 to 2015."
In a report wbaltv.com, Graziano detailed his initial steps taken in taking action on the said case. He said that he has sent out letters to public housing residents to ask for potential victims to come forth and report to the police. He also said that his letter contains guidelines as to what "employees, contractors, vendors are not allowed to do."
When Graziano met with the residents of Gilmor Homes public housing project, he said that he received more complaints than repair requests and issues. He said "The fundamental problem over the years has been the systematic defunding of the public housing program."
What can you say about the housing authority's actions regarding these allegations? Share it in the comments!
