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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
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Five Upper West Side Women Sue Super for Sexual Harassment

An Upper West Side landlord is accused of sexually assaulting five female tenants.
An Upper West Side landlord is accused of sexually assaulting five female tenants.
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By Ben Fractenberg

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

UPPER WEST SIDE — Five Upper West Side women are suing their superintendant, a convicted sex offender, for sexual harassment, the New York Post reported Monday.

The women claim William Barnason, 57, drugged one of them and tried to drag her into an empty apartment before being stopped by another tenant. He also allegedly offered to lower their rent if they went to bed to with him.

Barnason served more than 14 years for rape, sodomy and sexual abuse of three Long Island girls. After his release, he was hired by landlord Stan Katz to manage three buildings: 144 W. 73rd St., 140 W. 75th St. and 142 W. 75th St.

The women also accused Katz and his son Steven of stealing their mail and checks, according to The Post.

Katz’s lawyer denied the allegations.

"I've never seen a case like this in my life," the women’s lawyer, Joshua Friedman, told The Post. “It's ... the most outrageous case of sexual harassment by a landlord."