Former Bloomsburg University dean Jeffrey Krug has won a $3.9 million federal jury verdict over claims he faced retaliation and was fired for helping an administrative assistant file a sexual harassment report against the school's president.
Krug, former dean of the Zeigler College of Business and a tenured faculty member, was improperly terminated in 2018, according to his suit.
Krug sued Bloomsburg University — now part of Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania — school president Bashar Hanna, university senior vice president for academic affairs James Krause, and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Krug claimed he was subjected to false rumors of infidelity, a retaliatory investigation, denials of business travel and expense reimbursement and, ultimately, termination.
Wilkes-Barre attorney Barry Dyller said Krug, his client, feels he acted "legally and morally" correctly by helping the employee.
"It really was traumatic, and he is so relieved," Dyller said. "His reputation matters to him. They went to great lengths to destroy that reputation ... So he feels vindicated."
The verdict was handed down Tuesday following a trial before U.S. District Judge Jennifer Wilson in Harrisburg.
"We are disappointed with the decision and are reviewing options with legal counsel with every intent to appeal," the university said in a statement.
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