LAWSUIT: EXPELLED USciences Male Sues Over Investigation. Claims Accuser Encouraged To Find More Females To Accuse Him
A former student at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia is suing the school, claiming he was unfairly investigated by the college and its law firm, Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, and wrongly expelled as a result. The plaintiff, John Doe, filed an amended complaint against the school Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Schnader is not named as a defendant in the case. However, the complaint describes the firm’s role in investigating the allegations against the plaintiff, specifically noting that the school hired Anne Kane, co-chair of Schnader’s litigation department, to handle the investigation.
Doe alleged that the university, through Kane’s investigation, violated its own policies by failing to interview witnesses who would have been helpful to his defense, and by not questioning inconsistencies in witness statements that were favorable to the women accusing him of sexual misconduct. The complaint also alleged that the university encouraged the first accuser to tell others about her complaint “in an effort to find other women willing to make a complaint against John.” Kane concluded her investigation in November 2018, and John Doe was informed in December that he was expelled, based on her findings. The plaintiff appealed the expulsion, but his appeal was denied, the complaint said.
“Expulsion from the university will cause John to be denied the benefits of education at his chosen school, damaged his academic and professional reputations, and will affect his ability to enroll at other institutions of higher education and to pursue a career,” the complaint said. “Unfortunately for John, Ms. Kane and the university not only misused the witnesses, but the analysis of the evidence collected in each claim against John was intentionally skewed to ensure that John would be found to have sexually assaulted [the two women],” the complaint said. The plaintiff is alleging Title IX violations and breach of contract by the university, as well as intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress and negligence.He alleges damages of more than $75,000.
law.com -Lizzy McLellan
