ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – A former property manager at St. Anthony Plaza Apartments in Albuquerque is facing a federal lawsuit after being accused of sexually harassing female tenants. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed the lawsuit against Ariel Solis Veleta, alleging that he locked female tenants in his office and demanded sex acts. The DOJ also claims that he pressured tenants into engaging in sexual acts in order to keep their housing. These alleged events took place between 2010 and 2022.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division stated, “The Justice Department is firmly committed to holding property managers and landlords accountable when they abuse their power and prey on vulnerable tenants. This action represents our latest effort to ensure that no one lives in fear of experiencing sexual harassment in their home.”
The lawsuit not only names Solis as a defendant but also includes the owners of the property. Federal prosecutors are seeking financial compensation for the affected tenants, potentially in violation of the Fair Housing Act, along with a civil penalty and a court order to prevent discrimination.
The DOJ has encouraged anyone who believes they have been harmed at St. Anthony Plaza Apartments to contact the housing discrimination hotline or send an email to initiate an investigation. Solis and the property owners are considered innocent until proven guilty and have not yet responded to the allegations in federal court.