Sentinel staff report–
A fourth lawsuit has been filed against real estate investor Ethan Conrad, CEO of Ethan Conrad Properties, marking the latest in a series of legal complaints over the past six months in which multiple women have alleged sexual assault.
According to court documents obtained by The Sentinel, dated Nov. 20, 2024, one plaintiff, identified as Jane Roe, alleges that after several months of an online relationship, Conrad invited her to his home for what she understood to be a romantic evening. The complaint states that he drugged one of her tequila shots and sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious. The documents include screenshots of text messages between Roe and Conrad, in which he allegedly threatened legal action if she did not cease what he described as blackmail.
Additional lawsuits were also filed in December, January, and April.
According to local news reports, the December lawsuit alleges that Conrad “physically attacked” another woman, referred to as Jane Roe #2, after she confronted him regarding the previous allegations made by Jane Roe #1.
The January lawsuit alleges that Conrad solicited a woman for sex “in exchange for prospective employment.” The plaintiff states that after initially declining, the woman alleges Conrad “got her drunk,” and later sexually assaulted.
In the most recent lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, the plaintiff said she went to dinner with Conrad in 2011 and alleges that Conrad drugged her champagne, transported her to his home, and raped her.
Conrad and his attorneys have denied all allegations in multiple public statements to news organizations and maintain that the claims are false. Two cross-complaints have been filed by his attorneys, asserting that the plaintiffs are seeking financial gain through false accusations against him.
In the first cross-complaint, filed in response to the November case, Conrad states that the encounter was consensual and alleges the plaintiff later misrepresented the situation in an attempt to get money from him.
According to the Sacramento Business Journal, allegations raised in the November lawsuit were investigated by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and “cleared Conrad of criminal wrongdoing.” The Journal also said allegations in the December and April cases were not reported to law enforcement, but that the Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating allegations relating to the January complaint.
Conrad is a prominent property owner in the Sacramento region, including holdings in Citrus Heights. In October 2024, his company acquired a high-rise building in Sacramento for $21 million.
He is also involved in redevelopment efforts at Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights and has purchased a portion of the mall property. In November, Conrad submitted a proposal requesting amendments to the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan.
Conrad has stated during several Neighborhood Area meetings that he is currently in escrow with the mall’s majority owner and intends to complete the purchase if the City Council approves proposed amendments to the Sunrise Tomorrow redevelopment plan.
Conrad told The Sentinel in January he does not plan to move forward with the remainder of the mall purchase if the proposal is not approved. A presentation of the proposal is scheduled to take place at City Hall on April 23.
