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Former Handymen Face Charges In Baltimore Sex-For-Repairs Scandal

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's a scandal that rocked Baltimore public housing. Now two maintenance workers face criminal charges, accused of demanding sex in return for repairs.

Both of those maintenance workers were fired from their jobs. Now they will face a judge, WJZ's Meghan McCorkell reports.

They faced potentially life-threatening conditions inside their homes, but some women in public housing say for years maintenance workers demanded sex in exchange for repairs.

Now two former handymen, 48-year-old Charles Coleman and 61-year-old Doug Hussy, face criminal charges.

"A lot of these women did what they could do. They filed complaints that were ignored," said Perry Hopkins with Communities United, the organization that first uncovered the sex-for-repairs scandal.

Hopkins says the two workers deserve to be punished.

"Being violated by them, it's an atrocity. To know that it's been going on for so long and been allowed to happen because it's been public knowledge. Today is a big day," he said.

WJZ tried to speak to Coleman and Hussy. No one answered the door at either of their homes.

The city settled a multi-million dollar lawsuit brought by dozens of women accusing the two men.

In a statement to WJZ, a lawyer for the victims says: "We look forward to justice being done."

Housing officials tell WJZ they have always taken allegations of sexual abuse very seriously and terminated the two employees named in the lawsuit.

Still, many call for housing commission Paul Graziano to be fired. The mayor continues to stand behind him.

"We have one of the most highly regarded housing authorities in the country, and I continue to be proud of the work that we do," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

Both Coleman and Hussy will be arraigned next month.

Presumed future mayor Catherine Pugh tells WJZ she believes it is time for Paul Graziano to move on.

Coleman and Hussy face second-degree assault, fourth-degree sex offense, harassment and misconduct in office charges.

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