A settlement has been reached in yet another age discrimination lawsuit. Kean University has agreed to a $375,000 settlement with Wiliam DeGarcia, a former administrator who “sued the college alleging he was denied a promotion due to age discrimination.” Of that $375,000, $260,000 will go directly to DeGracia.
A settlement has been reached in yet another age discrimination lawsuit. Kean University has agreed to a $375,000 settlement with Wiliam DeGarcia, a former administrator who “sued the college alleging he was denied a promotion due to age discrimination.” Of that $375,000, $260,000 will go directly to DeGracia.
After working for the college for 30 years, DeGarcia claimed in the lawsuit that he “was passed up for the promotion because his supervisor wanted new blood in the department.” According to court documents, he was 55 years old at the time of the alleged discrimination.
Throughout his time at the university, DeGarcia held many different administrative positions, including a job as interim director of the Exceptional Educational Opportunities and Educational Opportunity Fund program. As interim director, he accomplished a great deal and “made several changes to the program that won praise” from notable figures, including Gov. Chris Christie and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez.
However, DeGarcia was passed over for the director position, which was given to a woman who was not only younger than 40 but “had no previous executive experience.” Not long after he was passed over for the job, the university informed him that his position “was effectively terminated.”
Despite the settlement, Kean University hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing, and in an emailed statement, Margaret McCorry, a spokeswoman for Kean said:
“The University supports diversity and equal opportunity at every level, and this case is no exception. As the University prepared to go to trial and vigorously defend this case, a procedural error in court filings was made by the Attorney General’s Office, and it was determined that the error would limit the University’s defense. As a result, a business decision was made to settle the case. The Attorney General’s Office paid more than 40 percent of the settlement.”
Sources:
Kean University agrees to $375K settlement in age discrimination suit
Join the conversation!