Victim files lawsuit against MTSU President
The former assistant to McPhee claims she suffered “severe emotional distress, mental anguish, indignation, wounded pride, shame and despair.” Her lawsuit also claims she was involuntarily transferred after the investigation to a university job with less responsibility and prestige.
The Associated Press is not naming the woman who filed the complaint because a Regents investigation found she was subjected to a hostile work environment, a type of sexual harassment.
The lawsuit, filed Feb. 13, seeks unspecified damages from MTSU, the Regents and the state after an “incomplete and biased investigation.”
An investigation found McPhee and the woman who filed the complaint agreed the two hugged repeatedly, had sexual conversations during golf outings and danced in his office.
McPhee disputed the most damaging allegations, including that he touched her sexually, asked her to touch him inappropriately and asked her to say sexually tinged statements while the two played golf.
The Board of Regents investigation concluded the allegations the woman and McPhee agreed on were enough to suspend him for 20 days without pay and reduce his salary $10,000 for one year. McPhee also was required to attend employment issues training that included sexual harassment law.
The woman was transferred out of the president’s office and given a $4,000 raise.
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