NEW YORK (CN) - The 2nd Circuit reinstated portions of a former secretary's lawsuit against Fordham University professor John Richard Clark and other university officials for allegedly retaliating against her when she complained about Clark's penchant for hardcore pornography.
Eleanora Patane claimed Clark spent one to two hours a day watching hardcore porn videos in his office, where he kept a collection of 36 porn videos. Patane said he also used her computer to access adult Web sites and regularly had X-rated tapes shipped to the office, requiring Patane to open them and stick them in his mailbox.
When she reported his behavior, Clark and the rest of the classics department allegedly launched a retaliation campaign to make her leave. She pressed nine claims against each of the five defendants, including Clark and Fordham University.
The circuit held that Patane failed to state a claim for gender discrimination, but reversed dismissal of her claims for hostile work environment and retaliation. See ruling.
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