FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Civil Rights Division Secures Major Victory in Fight Against Gender-Based Housing Discrimination, Providing Relief for 17 Women
BALTIMORE, MD (November 25, 2025) – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today that his Civil Rights Division won a historic judgment of $2.495 million dollars in a lawsuit, filed in the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, against Eric Sessoms and Mt. Vernon Group, LLC for engaging in a pattern or practice of gender-based discrimination in housing.
Sessoms operates and manages Eastern Shore rental properties owned by Mt. Vernon Group, LLC. The Civil Rights Division’s investigation found that Sessoms exploits women facing housing instability, offering reduced rent and other housing benefits in exchange for sexual favors. He subjects tenants and applicants to unwanted sexual advances, coercive conduct, voyeurism, and sexual assault, targeting them based on gender in clear violation of federal and state fair housing laws.
Yesterday, the Wicomico County Circuit Court granted the Civil Rights Division’s requests for injunctive relief, restitution for tenants and prospective tenants harmed by Sessoms’ conduct, civil penalties, and the costs of the investigation and litigation against Sessom and Mt. Vernon Group, LLC.
The Court’s Order found that the defendants, Eric Sessoms and Mt Vernon Group, LLC, violated both the federal Fair Housing Act and Maryland anti-discrimination laws, prohibiting discrimination in housing. In doing so, the Court prohibits Sessoms from working in the residential rental industry in any capacity and requires Mt Vernon Group, LLC to appoint a new resident agent. Mt Vernon Group, LLC is further required to conduct training on an annual basis for all owners, agents, and employees that covers gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment in housing.
The Court’s order also provides monetary relief to the victims of Sessoms and Mt Vernon Group, LLC’s discriminatory conduct; in total, the defendants are required to pay a monetary judgment of $2,495,000. This amount includes $2,325,000 to compensate women tenants and prospective tenants harmed by the defendants’ discrimination. The remaining monetary damages include $170,000 in civil penalties to the state to ensure that this gender-based discrimination does not persist. In addition to the $2.495 million judgment, the state was awarded $111,711.25 for the cost of investigation and litigation.
“This $2.49 million judgment puts predatory landlords on notice that we will hold them accountable. These survivors showed tremendous courage coming forward, and today's ruling ensures they receive justice,” said Attorney General Brown. “No one should have to endure sexual harassment to keep a roof over their head.”
It is unlawful for landlords to sexually harass tenants or prospective tenants or take retaliatory actions against tenants or prospective tenants who refuse or report a landlord’s sexual advances. The Attorney General and the Civil Rights Division take allegations of this nature seriously. You can report civil rights violations to the Office of the Attorney General by email at [email protected], or you can submit a complaint on our website at https://oag.maryland.gov/i-need-to/Pages/civil-rights-division.aspx or by calling 410-576-6300, and an investigator will follow up with you.
In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Brown thanks Chief of the Civil Rights Division Jonathan Smith; Deputy Chief Rashida Ogletree-George; Assistant Attorneys General Janee Fountain, Tyler Cochran, and Julianne Cozzetto; Investigator Kelsey Richards; and Paralegal Clarissa Hibler for working to bring this case to judgment and get relief for the women harmed. Attorney General Brown also thanks Maryland Legal Aid for its partnership and commitment to providing free civil legal services to low-income Marylanders.
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