Arkansas sues Jonesboro couple accused of sexual discrimination and harassment of female renters

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A couple accused of using their position as landlords to make unwanted advances on female renters is being sued under the Arkansas Fair Housing Act.

A representative of the Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office said Charles and Judy Warren of Jonesboro are being sued for their alleged discrimination and harassment. The pair oversaw several houses for rent in Jonesboro.

The suit alleges the sexual discrimination and harassment of female tenants began in 2019. Included in the allegations are offers of reduced rent in exchange for sex, sexual touching, exposure of genitals, sexual advances, menacing female tenants by entering their homes unannounced and without permission and threatening tenants housing if they objected or refused sexual advances.

The lawsuit includes the testimony of women who received unwanted behaviors, including touching and exposure from Charles Warren while renting a house from him. This was part of an ongoing pattern of abuse, the lawsuit states.

Griffin called the alleged behavior “abhorrent.”

“Preying on women seeking housing for themselves and their families by subjecting them to sexual discrimination and harassment is abhorrent and a violation of state law,” the attorney general said. “My office will pursue all available penalties and damages against the defendants for violating the Arkansas Fair Housing Act.”

The AGs office is seeking injunctive and declaratory relief, compensatory and punitive damages, monetary damages for victims and civil penalties through a jury trial.