The lawsuit, filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, alleges that Mani violated the federal Fair Housing Act through sexual harassment and retaliatory conduct directed at the tenant. According to the Justice Department, Mani made sexual advances toward the woman while she was renting a property from him. “The Justice Department will continue to uphold the rights of female tenants to housing without the threat of sexual harassment by a landlord.” The case reached federal court after the tenant filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. After the tenant elected to have the case heard in federal court rather than through HUD’s administrative process, the matter was referred to the Justice Department.