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Charges Dropped For Maintenance Man In Sex-For-Repairs Case

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The second maintenance worker accused of demanding sex in return for repairs has had his charges dropped.

The Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office confirms charges against Charles Coleman were dropped Wednesday.

Charges were also dropped for the other suspect in this case, Doug Hussy, after a woman who had accused him did not appear in court to testify. The two former handymen did work for Baltimore public housing.

RELATED: Maintenance Man Acquitted In Sex-For-Repairs Case

Residents living in Gilmor Homes at the time showed WJZ first hand living conditions that were so deplorable, that many feared for their own safety. Rat holes and crumbling walls were some of the problems plaguing the residents, stemming from allegations their problems wouldn't be solved unless they performed sexual favors for two handymen tasked with doing the work.

Doug Hussy and Charles Coleman were later fired following the allegations.

The accusations against Coleman and Hussy were among several raised by female public housing tenants in 2015 that led to a class-action lawsuit. The city housing authority settled the lawsuit last year for up to $8 million.

Hussy case was dropped earlier this month after a key witness failed to show up in court.

"He wants his reputation back, this came out of nowhere like he was sucker punched," said Coleman's attorney, Warren Brown.

The state's attorney office said last minute problems arose in the case.

"There were issues in proving the case legally in court to move forward, again it wasn't an issue of credibility," said Melba Saunders of the state's attorney office.

An attorney for one of the men accused told WJZ now that the charges has been dropped he is looking to get back to work.

The initial scandal prompted the City housing authority to take action.

"Mistakes had been here," said former City housing commissioner Paul Graziano.

WJZ later uncovered that more than 50 women had joined a class action lawsuit. A case that the City eventually settled on paying out millions.

The attorney in that case fired with a statement Wednesday saying "our clients were at the courthouse and ready to testify at trial. The prosecution's last minute abandonment of the charges is a bewildering disappointment"

WJZ did speak with residents of Gilmor Homes who did not want to go on camera who are also outraged by the case's outcome.

The Baltimore City State's Attorney released the following statement:

"There are a number of variables that recently raised insurmountable problems with the provability of these cases. Our office will continue to support these victims as they continue their journey to recovery from these humiliating experiences."

 

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