Misconduct

Merced City School District Under Scrutiny as Grand Jury Alleges Misconduct and Violations

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MERCED, Calif. — A new report from the Merced County Grand Jury has cast a critical eye on Merced City School District, spotlighting a range of alleged misdeeds by its Board and administration that include sexual misconduct and multiple violations of the state’s open meeting laws. The scrutiny began following numerous complaints that painted a troubling picture of the internal operations within the district. Issues at the heart of the investigation range from workplace harassment and bullying to overt violations of the Brown Act, which guards against undisclosed meetings by local legislative entities. In a … Read more

Prominent Advocate Lawyer Roberta Kaplan Departs Own Firm Amid Internal Controversy and Misconduct Allegations

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NEW YORK — Renowned attorney Roberta Kaplan, noted for her pivotal role in overturning the ban on gay marriage and prominent work in defending sexual assault victims, has announced her resignation from the law firm Kaplan Hecker & Fink, which she helped establish in 2017. Her departure comes amid accusations of fostering a toxic work environment and mistreating staff, highlighting a stark contradiction to the inclusive and respectful ethos she publicly advocated. According to former associates, Kaplan’s behavior included berating employees, commenting inappropriately on their appearances, and making veiled threats about their professional futures. These … Read more

LSU Settles Lawsuit Over Mishandling of Sexual Misconduct Reports, Pays $1.9 Million to Former Students

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Baton Rouge, Louisiana – LSU has reached a settlement agreement to pay $1.9 million in a lawsuit involving 10 former students. The lawsuit accused university officials of violating the students’ civil rights by failing to adequately investigate and address reports of rape, partner violence, and sexual harassment on campus. The settlement, obtained through a public-records request, was signed by LSU President William Tate on March 27. The lawsuit, filed in 2021, came in the wake of numerous former students speaking out about their experiences of sexual assault at LSU. Two plaintiffs in the case alleged … Read more

Proposed Bill Seeks to Protect Law Enforcement at State Universities and Reform Officer Misconduct Investigations

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DES MOINES, Iowa — Law enforcement protections at state universities in Iowa could see significant changes if a newly passed bill becomes law. The bill, known as House Study Bill 738, aims to prevent state universities from implementing policies that restrict police from enforcing local, state, or municipal laws. It also proposes that the attorney general investigate complaints against universities for potential violations. Under the bill, state universities found by civil court to have intentionally discouraged or barred law enforcement from enforcing laws would be denied state funds for the fiscal year in which the … Read more