Housing Commissioner Discusses Sex-For-Repairs Suit With City Council

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- In the hot seat. The housing commissioner faced tough questions from the city council about the sex-for-repairs scandal rocking his department---but he's not answering a key question.

Meghan McCorkell has more on the fiery hearing.

Housing Commissioner Paul Graziano refused to say when he found out about allegations that maintenance men were demanding sex for repairs.

"Time to stop talking and do something," said Perry Hopkins, Communities United.

There were cries for help as residents described deplorable living conditions in public housing.

"Roach infestation. Mice infestation. Mice holes in the wall," said Rebecca Taylor Boyd, McCulloh Homes.

But some women allege maintenance men demanded sex in exchange for repairs. When it was reported to superiors, "they did nothing, nothing, nothing," according to one complainant.

Now Housing Commissioner Paul Graziano is called in front of city council members who are demanding answers.

"I want to know who knew what when and why they didn't act on this sooner," said Councilman Carl Stokes.

But that's the one question Graziano says he can't answer.

"I'm not going to discuss the litigation or the pending investigation or the matters that would be subject to mediation," Graziano said.

"I feel as though it should have been answered regardless," said Rochelle Barksdale, McCulloh Homes. "We need to know."

Twenty women---many of them in Gilmor Homes---have now filed a lawsuit against the Housing Authority. According to the lawsuit, housing officials were informed of the allegations as early as 2012.

"Eight different women filed 12 different complaints over the last three years," said victims' attorney Cary Hansel.

Graziano says steps have now been taken to protect residents.

"We have set up a hotline. It's a confidential hotline; anybody who has a problem should come to us," he said.

Still, some say Graziano needs to go.

"I think it's time for a resignation," said Councilman Nick Mosby.

But that's something the commissioner says he has no plans of doing.

Both the inspector general and state's attorney have launched investigations into the sex-for-repairs scandal.

Housing officials admit 4,000 service requests have gone unanswered for more than 30 days. They're hiring 50 new maintenance technicians to help with the backlog.