Alabama State University has lost its appeal of a sexual harassment ruling in which three former employees were awarded more than $1 million.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday issued a 23-page ruling upholding a Montgomery district court’s ruling granting Jacqueline Weatherly, Cynthia Williams and Lydia Burkhalter more than $1 million in back pay and lost wages.
The three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit also slammed ASU for creating and condoning a hostile work environment.
“The facts of this case should greatly concern every taxpaying citizen of the state of Alabama, especially because it involves a public university largely funded by tax dollars paid by the people of Alabama,†the court’s opinion read.
“We are left to wonder who is in charge at ASU. Regardless, however, we are unnerved by the apparent acquiescence to, if not outright condoning of, the abusive work environment created by its high-level employees.â€