A federal judge has upheld a $3.9 million award to former Bloomsburg University dean Jeffrey Krug, who was terminated in 2018 after counseling an administrative aide who alleged sexual harassment by her boss, President Bashar Hanna. The jury verdict included back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, and punitive damages against Hanna and interim provost James Krause.
Judge Jennifer P. Wilson denied a motion by the State System of Higher Education and other defendants to enter a judgment in their favor or order a new trial, citing evidence that Hanna was personally involved in the retaliation and that Krug had made a good faith report of the alleged sexual harassment.
Krug testified that he assisted the aide in reporting Hanna’s behavior after she told him about rebuffing his advances. Despite efforts by Hanna to block her access to email and speak demeaningly toward her, Krug reported the harassment to the university’s Title IX coordinator. An investigation later concluded the allegations were false.
Following the verdict, members of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) voted no-confidence in President Hanna, who now leads Commonwealth University, comprised of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield. The ruling serves as a significant victory for Krug, who faced retaliation for supporting the aide’s claims of misconduct.
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