7 More Tenants Accuse Union Co. Landlord Of Sex Crimes: Officials

UNION COUNTY, NJ — An Elizabeth landlord who had been charged in March with sex crimes against 13 tenants is facing seven more accusations, bringing the total of victims coming forward to 20, according to the Union County Prosecutor's office.

Joseph Centanni, 74, was rearrested Wednesday morning and charged with similar crimes against a group of additional victims, officials announced on Thursday.

Centanni is facing five additional counts of second-degree sexual assault and seven additional counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.

The incidents in question happened between 2013 and 2020. According to officials, Centanni targeted male and female victims with ages ranging from 22 to 61.

Some of the tenants were homeless. about to be evicted or struggling financially, an investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Unit revealed.

READ MORE: Union County Landlord Charged With Sex Crimes Against 13 Tenants

Centanni allegedly asked the victims to perform specific sex acts in exchange for favors like rent reductions, a delay in eviction or another type of financial assistance. The victims felt like they had no choice but to say yes to his demands, because of personal circumstances, the prosecutor's office said. For example, some had to support their young children.

"Using a position of power and privilege to prey on the vulnerabilities and desperation of others is not just wrong – in this case it is also criminal," Prosecutor Lindsay Ruotolo said in a press release back in March.

Centanni was taken into custody without incident on Wednesday morning and will be lodged in the Essex County Jail pending a first appearance scheduled to take place in Union County Superior Court. He had been free on pretrial release with conditions following his initial arrest.

There is a separate, ongoing Fair Housing Act lawsuit against Centanni brought by the United States Department of Justice, the Prosecutor's Office said.

People can report sexual harassment and other forms of housing discrimination by contacting the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Hotline at 855-281-3339, or by emailing the Justice Department at fairhousing@usdoj.gov.

Any additional victims of Centanni who have yet to come forward and anyone with information about Centanni’s activities are urged to contact Detective Son of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-477-1698.Courtesy Union County Prosecutor's Office