The ex-employee claimed he was fired for advocating for students who submitted sexual harassment claims against faculty.
FRANKFORT, Ky. — A jury unanimously ruled in favor of a former Kentucky State University (KSU) employee who claims he was fired for bringing attention to sexual harassment claims against administrators.
Xavier Dillard, who is also a KSU alumnus, said he was fired in 2018 on the same day he sent an email to both internal and external email accounts advocating for two students who submitted sexual harassment claims against faculty and staff, reports Kentucky.com. The email also contained concerns about the improper use of funds from federal TRIO grants, which are used to provide materials to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Dillard filed a lawsuit claiming he was protected by the Kentucky Whistleblower Act when he was terminated. Lawyers for the university said Dillard was fired for breaking the university’s confidentiality agreement, which includes protecting student information. His email, which was sent to KSU employees and several news organizations and government officials, included student names, the lawyers said.
In addition to the whistleblower lawsuit, the jury also ruled in favor of the former employee’s retaliation claim. Dillard said he was retaliated against by the university after making the reports, including his office being relocated to a less desirable location on campus.
Dillard will receive around $161,500 in lost wages and...
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