NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. (WFLA) — A HUD inspector was arrested Monday after being accused of misusing his position, police said.

Officers said an investigation was launched into an alleged sexual battery that took place at a New Port Richey apartment complex.

According to the New Port Richey Police Department, on April 1, the suspect, Joseph Gioielli, 71, conducted a routine Housing and Urban Development inspection at a woman’s apartment in which he failed her for not having the correct smoke detectors.

“[The victim] did state the first encounter with Joseph was normal and professional,” a complaint affidavit stated. “[The victim] stated Joseph even contacted his wife, who also worked at HUD, and she showed them her child on Facetime.”

Police said Gioielli initially left the premises but allegedly called the victim an hour later, stating he was worried about her. He then returned to the apartment while still in uniform.

“[The victim] stated Joseph immediately gave her a hug and then began kissing her neck,” the affidavit stated. “[The victim] stated Joseph stated he came back because of how upset she was about failing the inspection. [The victim] stated she has been molested by a family member prior in her life and knew what was about to happen.”

The victim told police that she became fearful she would lose her HUD voucher and be evicted from the apartment, so after answering the door to Gioielli, she took her child into a bedroom where, the arrest report states, she then turned on the T.V. so the child would not hear anything before returning to the other room.

The complaint affidavit stated that upon the victim’s return, Gioielli began engaging in sexual acts with her.

“[The victim] stated Joseph was not someone she would have sought out on her own and felt coerced to submit to the sexual contact,” the document said. “[The victim] stated she was alone with her child and did not know what Joseph would do if she refused.”

The affidavit also stated that investigators were able to obtain proof that the victim passed a re-inspection without changing the smoke detectors or finding any other issues with a new inspector.

The New Port Richey Police Department arrested Gioielli and charged him with official misconduct by a public servant in violation of Florida law.

“[The victim] clearly believed and had a well founded fear that she would be evicted and homeless of she failed the re-inspection,” the affidavit stated. “Further, Joseph clearly misused his position as a government contractor to obtain sexual intercourse. Joseph was still in his inspector uniform, on duty, and had just failed [the victim] an hour prior. Joseph contacted [the victim] on his personal cell phone and came back to comfort her showing knowledge this activity was not legal or correct per his policies. After further investigation it was determined that the smoke detectors in fact were legal and met criteria from HUD housing and should not have been failed at all. All these facts show that Joseph misused his position for personal gain in violation of Florida State Statute.”

Police are urging anyone who believes they may have been victimized in similar manner to contact the department immediately at 727-841-4550.