Judge Grants NJ Landlord Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Tenants Pause On Federal Lawsuit

A federal lawsuit accusing a 73-year-old New Jersey landlord of violating the Fair Housing Act has been temporarily halted in light of new criminal charges saying he forced more than a dozen tenants into sex acts in exchange for rent relief, NJ.com reports.

Joseph Centanni
Photo Credit: *Union County Prosecutor's Office*

Cecilia Levine

04/23/2021 4:05 p.m.

The suit was filed last August against Joseph Centanni, of Mountainside says he demanded sexual favors from tenants since 2005.

Last March, Centenni -- who owns hundreds of rental units scattered across 18 properties in Elizabeth -- was slapped with 13 more criminal charges out of Union County accusing him of similar behavior.

Following the latest criminal charges, Centanni's lawyers requested a stay in the civil case, which was apparently granted Monday, NJ.com says.

Click here for the full report from NJ.com.

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