Landlord Indicted For Sexual Crimes Against 30 Tenants In Union County

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The owner of hundreds of rental units scattered across 18 residential properties in Elizabeth was indicted last Thursday for committing sexual offenses against 30 tenants over a number of years, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

The 42-count indictment charges Joseph Centanni, 75, of Mountainside with 23 counts of second-degree sexual assault and 19 counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, prosecutors said.

Union County prosecutors said the crimes took place at various times from 2013 to 2020, with male and female victims ranging in age from 22 to 61.

In December of 2021, Centanni agreed to pay a $4.5 million settlement concerning his sexual harassment of tenants and housing applicants for more than 15 years. According to the settlement, Centanni focused his harassment on women and gay or bisexual men.

Read more: NJ Landlord Accused Of Sex Crimes Must Pay $4.5M To Tenants

A long-term investigation initiated by the Elizabeth Police Department and led by the Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Unit, revealed that Centanni targeted tenants or prospective tenants who were homeless, about to be evicted, or otherwise struggling financially, according to Special Victims Unit Supervisor and Assistant Prosecutor Caroline Lawlor.

Prosecutors found that Centanni solicited the sex acts from his victims as a quid pro quo, agreeing offer them rent reductions, a delay in an eviction, or other forms of financial assistance in exchange.

He also threatened tenants who hesitated or refused his advances with eviction or other retaliatory measures, prosecutors said.

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Centanni back in August of 2020, claiming he violated the Fair Housing Act by demanding sexual favors from tenants and applicants.

Read more: Union County Landlord Demanded Sexual Favors From Tenants: Feds

Convictions on second-degree crimes are commonly punishable by terms of five to 10 years in state prison on each count and those for fourth-degree crimes by up to 18 months in prison, according to prosecutors.

Centanni remains free on court-ordered pretrial monitoring pending the outcome of his case.

Anyone with information about this matter is still urged to contact Union County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Joanne Son at (908) 477-1698.