Maryland

Eastern Shore landlord sought sex for rent, AG alleges

Published

1 year ago

July 19, 2024

Press Room

Eastern Shore landlord sought sex for rent, AG alleges

In 2021, Eric Sessoms rented a home in Maryland to a woman who had been unhoused.

In exchange for engaging in sex acts, Sessoms offered to reduce her rent. She acquiesced.

The woman recounted being illegally evicted after telling Sessoms she no longer wished to continue with that arrangement.

Those allegations are included in the first lawsuit that the Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division filed on Friday in Wicomico County Circuit Court against Sessoms and Mt Vernon Group LLC, for which he serves as the resident agent.

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Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said Friday his top priority when taking office was obtaining the authority to enforce local, state and federal civil rights laws and described the occasion as historic.

The lawsuit alleges that Sessoms preyed on vulnerable women who were unhoused or at imminent risk of experiencing homelessness and engaged in a “persistent course of conduct” that subjected female tenants and prospective tenants to gender-based discrimination. Sessoms could not be reached for comment.

“The defendant’s conduct was severe, pervasive and humiliating to the women forced to endure his relentless advances and harassment,” Brown said at a news conference at the office’s headquarters on St. Paul Place in Baltimore.

“This case underscores the inherent power imbalance that is often at the root of sexual harassment,” he added, “and is only further magnified by the power imbalance in the landlord-tenant relationship.”

Later, Brown said, he wanted to take a moment to address other people who might be experiencing similar circumstances. “I believe you, and I’m taking action,” he said. “But first, we need to hear from you.”

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The chief of the Civil Rights Division, Jonathan Smith, said Sessoms started serving as a landlord in Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester counties as early as 2018.

The lawsuit recounts the experience of five women.

In one case, Sessoms invited a prospective tenant who had four children and was experiencing homelessness to meet at a warehouse under the guise of signing a lease in 2023. He shut the door, unzipped his pants, grabbed her hand and put it on his penis, the lawsuit alleges.

The woman, the lawsuit asserts, “did not move into the property because of this sexual assault.” She remained unhoused for more than a year after that happened.

Sessoms also asked renters to date him, requested hugs and kisses and entered their homes without permission for no legitimate purpose, Smith said.

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Jamie Miliman, supervising attorney of the Lower Eastern Shore Office of Maryland Legal Aid, the state’s largest provider of free civil legal services, first uncovered wrongdoing.

The private, nonprofit law firm filed a series of lawsuits and obtained settlements and peace of mind for its clients, said Vicki Schultz, the organization’s executive director.

“But we couldn’t stop there,” Schultz said. “And our team didn’t stop.”

Schultz said the group reached out to the attorney general’s office. She described the work as an example of government and nonprofit organizations partnering to deliver justice.

Maryland Chief Deputy Attorney Candace McLaren Lanham said it took a lot of courage for the women to come forward.

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“We see you; we thank you, we are now fighting for you and fighting with you,” she said. “But we have reports that there are other women.”

Tipsters can contact a hotline that’s been set up for the case at 1-833-282-2977 or email MDvSessoms@oag.state.md.us.

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Maryland

Maryland Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 18, 2025

Published

6 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Maryland Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 18, 2025

The Maryland Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 18, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 7-4-7

Evening: 7-9-6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 1-5-7-8

Evening: 2-9-8-5

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 3-1-2-9-4

Evening: 5-7-1-2-8

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

20-26-46-57-60, Cash Ball: 02

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

9 a.m.: 10

1 p.m.: 12

6 p.m.: 07

11 p.m.: 10

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Bonus Match 5 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

02-09-15-21-36, Bonus: 10

Check Bonus Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning MultiMatch numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

10-23-25-29-39-41

Check MultiMatch payouts and previous drawings here.

Keno

Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Maryland Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes above $600, winners can claim by mail or in person from the Maryland Lottery office, an Expanded Cashing Authority Program location or cashiers’ windows at Maryland casinos. Prizes over $5,000 must be claimed in person.

Claiming by Mail

Sign your winning ticket and complete a claim form. Include a photocopy of a valid government-issued ID and a copy of a document that shows proof of your Social Security number or Federal Tax ID number. Mail these to:

Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center

1800 Washington Boulevard

Suite 330

Baltimore, MD 21230

For prizes over $600, bring your signed ticket, a government-issued photo ID, and proof of your Social Security or Federal Tax ID number to Maryland Lottery headquarters, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD. Claims are by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This location handles all prize amounts, including prizes over $5,000.

Winning Tickets Worth $25,000 or Less

Maryland Lottery headquarters and select Maryland casinos can redeem winning tickets valued up to $25,000. Note that casinos cannot cash prizes over $600 for non-resident and resident aliens (tax ID beginning with “9”). You must be at least 21 years of age to enter a Maryland casino. Locations include:

Horseshoe Casino: 1525 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD
MGM National Harbor: 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD
Live! Casino: 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD
Ocean Downs Casino: 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, MD
Hollywood Casino: 1201 Chesapeake Overlook Parkway, Perryville, MD
Rocky Gap Casino: 16701 Lakeview Road NE, Flintstone, MD

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Maryland Lottery.

When are the Maryland Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 11 p.m. ET Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5 Midday: 12:27 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, 12:28 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.
Pick 3, 4 and 5 Evening: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Cash4Life: 9 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop: 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily.
Bonus Match 5: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
MultiMatch: 7:56 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
Powerball Double Play: 11 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Maryland editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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