A New Jersey landlord accused of sexually assaulting a number of his tenants is close to reaching a settlement agreement with federal authorities, who first detailed the allegations in a lawsuit that has now led to dozens of criminal charges.
In a letter to a federal judge Monday, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s office of New Jersey wrote that they and Elizabeth landlord Joseph Centanni, 74, have “made substantial progress and expect to reach final agreement on a proposed Consent Decree to resolve this matter.”
The matter pertains to the civil lawsuit federal authorities filed in in August 2020 against Centanni, accusing him of violating the Fair Housing Act when he allegedly sexually harassed tenants and applicants, including demanding sexual favors in exchange for housing, on a number of occasions since at least 2005.
Centanni has denied the allegations.
It is unclear what the agreement will ultimately entail, though past consent decrees reached by federal authorities and landlords accused of sexual harassment include paying compensation to victims, paying a civil penalty and permanently baring them from property management.
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office did not respond to a request for comment on how soon the agreement could be finalized. Centanni’s attorney declined to comment.
The parties will discuss the potential resolution during a Nov. 29 status conference with U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa, who is presiding over the case, according to the letter.
The lawsuit first brought to light disturbing allegations against Centanni, a powerful landlord who owned hundreds of rental units in Elizabeth, the majority of which he rented out to low-income tenants and families.
But the lawsuit has been on halt as local prosecutors have criminally charged Centanni with a litany of crimes related to the treatment of tenants.
The Mountainside resident is currently facing 35 criminal charges filed by the Union County Prosecutor’s office as a result of alleging sexually assaulting or harassing 20 different victims who were tenants or prospective tenants
The criminal complaints filed against him detail how the landlord allegedly coerced vulnerable tenants or prospective tenants — single mothers, a homeless man and soon-to-be evicted tenants — into performing sexual favors in exchange for housing or financial relief.
Centanni has been free on bail since he was first criminally charged in March.
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Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com.
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November 23, 2021 at 07:00PM
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