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Feds accuse Wilkes Co. man of sexually harassing female renters, buyers

By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com
By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com

WILKES COUNTY, N.C. — The U.S Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against an 88-year-old Wilkes County man who rents, sells and finances homes in North Carolina for allegedly sexually harassing female renters and owners of those homes.

For more than 10 years, Robert Hatfield sexually harassed as many as 14 women who had lived in or inquired about his homes, according to a federal complaint.

[READ MORE: Justice Department files lawsuit against Robert Hatfield]

The complaint said Hatfield operated some of his homes as rental properties, which he manages, and offered and provided financing to purchasers of his other homes.

Hatfield’s conduct included making unwelcome sexual comments and advances, engaging in unwanted sexual touching and groping, offering tangible housing benefits in exchange for sex acts and taking or threatening to take adverse housing actions against women who object to his harassment, the federal complaint said.

"The victims in this case merely wanted to rent or buy a home, a place of sanctity and safety," said U.S. Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose, of the Western District of North Carolina. "Unfortunately, the process became sordid when Hatfield used the critical need for housing as leverage to make unwanted and aggressive sexual advances. This lawsuit should serve as fair warning that Mr. Hatfield's actions were not only unlawful, but repugnant to the citizens of Western North Carolina - and this office will work vigorously to protect the women, families and other vulnerable individuals harmed by this type of conduct."

The allegations made against Hatfield violate the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate victims, a civil penalty and a court order barring further discrimination and requiring additional preventive measures.

Hatfield spoke one-on-one with Eyewitness News reporter Dave Faherty about the allegations made against him. He said he has received legal papers over the last few months from his attorney and the Justice Department.

He denied asking for sexual favors from any woman he's ever had as a tenant.

"I want a jury trial and would rather go to jail then pay anything," Hatfield said.

Hatfield believes the government is unfairly targeting targeting him.

"I can't understand why Uncle Sam wants to spend money before they have any knowledge of what really happened," Hatfield said.

Hatfield said his attorney has asked for the case to be dismissed.

Rose said investigators are still looking for more potential victims to come forward.

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