Justice Department accuses former employee of KCK Housing Authority of harassment

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Monday accusing a former hearing officer for the Housing Authority in Kansas City, Kan., of sexual harassing two clients.

The lawsuit claims Victor L. Hernandez harassed two women in 2013. One of the alleged victims sought access to public housing, while the other faced eviction for unpaid rent and fees.

In both cases, the government claims, Hernandez exposed himself to the women while they were appealing their cases. He allegedly showed pornographic images and made inappropriate comments.

The Justice Department claims the activity violated the Fair Housing Act, and that the Housing Authority should have known about the conduct. It asks for an injunction against the authority that would prohibit similar activity in the future, and monetary damages for the two women.

The authority could not be reached for comment. Hernandez left the agency in January 2014.

This story was originally published October 26, 2015 at 5:33 PM with the headline "Justice Department accuses former employee of KCK Housing Authority of harassment."