Mass. 'sober home' operator charged with sexual harassment of female occupants

Lynn, MA. Photo: Boston Globe

The vast ‘recovery’ industry is almost entirely run by scam artists and criminals. Probably one of the biggest scams going on in this country today, which is really saying something. Just in the Boston area alone, over the last few years there have been several of these ‘sober home’ operators who have run afoul of the law and taken advantage of the alcoholics and junkies in their care. The Lynn Daily Item - 

LYNN — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division filed a lawsuit on Wednesday alleging that Peter McCarthy, of Lynn — who operates residential sober homes through his company, Steps to Solutions Inc. — committed acts of sexual harassment and retaliation toward female tenants, in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

The lawsuit alleges that from 2012 through 2019, McCarthy, 49, sexually harassed female residents of his sober homes by offering to reduce or forgive rent, granting extra house privileges or waiving security deposits in exchange for engaging in sexual acts; requesting sexually-explicit photographs and indicating that he would reduce or waive rent in exchange for the images; making unwanted sexual comments; and retaliating and taking adverse housing actions against residents who reported his conduct. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell said it is disappointing that a landlord — who is supposed to be helping vulnerable women beat drug addiction — was allegedly sexually harassing them and offering to reduce their rent in exchange for sex. 

“Thankfully, the Fair Housing Act gives us effective tools to stop such despicable conduct and protect those who are being preyed upon,” Mendell said. “People who have experienced this kind of sexual harassment might be reluctant to report it, but we need to hear from them. Reporting sexual harassment is essential to stop and prevent sexual harassment.”

The lawsuit seeks a court order to prevent future discriminatory conduct, as well as monetary damages to compensate the victims. (Read more)

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