The U.S. Department of Justice released details of its settlement with former local attorney and property owner Randy Hames Friday, Feb. 2.
The DOJ brought the suit against Hames in 2018 claiming he subjected female tenants to sexual harassment in violation of the U.S. Fair Housing Act. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, alleged Hames demanded or pressured female tenants to exchange sexual favors for rent and threatening to evict those who refused, made female tenants feel unsafe by entering their residences without permission and regularly made unwelcome sexual comments.
The case was brought by the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative, led by the Civil Rights Division which seeks to raise awareness and address sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and others who control housing.
Civil proceedings began in Huntsville Monday, Jan. 29, and concluded with closing statements on Wednesday. Just before jury deliberations were set to begin Thursday, it was announced both parties had reached a settlement agreement.
According to a statement released by the DOJ Friday, Feb. 2, Hames will pay $390,000 in damages to 13 women who rented or sought to rent homes from him and a civil penalty to the government. Hames is also prohibited from managing rental properties or from contacting the women or their families.
“Today’s resolution recognizes the significant harm that the defendant caused to the women in this case and sends a message that this type of behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our communities,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division said in the statement. “No woman should ever have to grapple with sexual harassment to avoid eviction, receive a fair rent or to ensure that they can keep a roof over their head. The Justice Department stands ready to vigorously pursue landlords who sexually harass and exploit their tenants.”
Hames’ criminal charges of soliciting prostitution and human trafficking were dismissed in November 2023 after Hames signed a plea agreement admitting guilt to misdemeanor harassment charges. Hames also agreed to surrender his license to practice law.