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LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A fired employee and a demoted employee at Kentucky State University have filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against President Raymond Burse.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reports (http://bit.ly/1rEAUJE) Teferi Tsegaye and Maifan Silitonga claim they were retaliated against for refusing to participate in discriminatory conduct at the historically black school with about 1,600 students.
A university spokeswoman declined to comment to the newspaper about the lawsuit.
Among other things, the lawsuit claims Burse, who is black, was displeased that a white woman was hired as media and communications manager in 2014, and he blamed Tsegaye for the hiring.
The suit says Burse told Tsegaye the university needed more people like him while tapping his wrist, which Tsegaye took to mean he wanted more African Americans.
Tsegaye stood by his decision. Burse asked Tsegaye to resign repeatedly, but he refused. Burse also "continually berated, belittled and humiliated" Tsegaye in front of his colleagues, the lawsuit says.
Silitonga also alleges in the lawsuit that Burse screamed at her and belittled her front of her colleagues.
In March 2015, Burse instructed Tsegaye and Silitonga to fire the director of a university-run child care center because Burse said the white woman did not represent the university, according to the lawsuit.
Tsegaye and Silitonga questioned Burse. Soon after Tsegaye was demoted from associate vice president and dean/director of the College of Agriculture to professor. The demotion occurred about seven days after KSU had received notice that Tsegaye had filed a discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the lawsuit says.
That same month Silitonga was fired.
Tsegaye and Silitonga filed the suit on Tuesday in U.S. District Court. They are asking for a trial by jury. They seek punitive damages and attorneys' fees.
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Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com
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