$4.5M HIT ON ‘PERV’ LANDLORD

Sex-for-housing scam

A New Jersey landlord accused of demanding sexual favors from dozens of his low-income tenants in exchange for housing help has agreed to pay a landmark $4.5 million settlement, the US Justice Department announced Tuesday.

Joseph Centanni, 73, who owned hundreds of rental units in and around Elizabeth, will pay the sum to his accusers to settle a federal lawsuit alleging he sexually harassed vulnerable tenants over a 15-year span.

The agreement marks the largest monetary settlement the DOJ has ever obtained in a case alleging sexual harassment in housing.

Centanni (pictured) allegedly demanded oral sex from tenants or touched them inappropriately in exchange for helping them stay in their homes or receive rent assistance.

He threatened to evict those who refused his demands or rejected his advances, according to the suit filed in August.

Centanni would allegedly take tenants and housing applicants to empty apartments or storage rooms where he’d demand massages, expose himself or force them to touch him in a sexual manner.

He targeted women and gay or bisexual men, the department said.

Centanni’s properties accepted federal Section 8 housing vouchers, netting him more than $100,000 in Housing Choice Voucher payments each month.

The money will be distributed to his victims through a compensation fund, according to the DOJ.

He has also been banned from ever owning or managing rental properties.

“The need for housing is a basic human need,” said Acting US Attorney Rachael A. Honig of the District of New Jersey in a statement.

“Joseph Centanni exploited that need, and the important federal programs that attempt to meet it, by threatening to deny his victims a roof over their heads if they did not submit to his demands for sexual acts.”

Centanni also is facing multiple criminal sexual-assault and attempted-sexual-assault charges involving at least 20 tenants that were filed in March in Union County.

That case is still proceeding, a spokesperson for the Union County Prosecutor’s Office said Tuesday.

Centanni’s attorney, Raymond Londa, said the landlord didn’t admit to any wrongdoing in agreeing to the settlement.

“Mr. Centanni settled the matter to avoid protracted litigation,” Londa said.

“Mr Centanni continues to deny the allegations.”