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Letters Sent To Gilmore Homes Residents Following Sex For Repairs Lawsuit

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—The Baltimore Housing Authority addressed what residents say have been chronic harassment at Gilmor Homes by housing maintenance employees with a letter to residents.

The letters come a week after some residents have filed a lawsuit against the housing authority.

WJZ's Christe Ileto has the latest.

Rat holes. Crumbling walls. Residents show WJZ units inside Gilmor homes.

It's not the conditions, but the allegations of sexual favors for repairs.

The city housing authority calls the accusations disturbing, saying in a letter to residents, "(They) prohibit employees, contractors from unprofessional or inappropriate conduct, including sexual harassment".

"So what it shows us is that the housing authority was prepared to do absolutely nothing until a lawsuit was filed," said Cary Hansel, who's representing seven woman suing the housing authority. "This letter is a slap in the face of everyone who's in public housing in Baltimore, because if you read between the lines, what it says is we're not going to help you."

The letter concludes with asking residents to contact police if they've been sexually harassed, it's what some say is the housing authority avoiding responsibility.

"If they're working with the housing authority, why are we not contacting you directly, why do we have call the police, and either way you all are still going to have to get involved," said Shatira White.

Revealing court documents allege in one case, a maintenance supervisor told a female tenant who refused sex, "You think you're having problems now, just wait."

Ileto: "These allegations don't surprise you at all?

"No, it's been happening for years. It makes you scared to live where you are, you don't feel safe in your own home," White said.

It's a situation residents say isn't eased by this week's letter.

Activist group, Communities United says more residents are coming forward. Attorneys say they're reviewing cases daily.

The women who have filed are seeking $10 million dollars each.

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