Lawsuit accuses Norwich University of sex-based employment discrimination, retaliation
MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - Norwich University faces a civil lawsuit accusing the school’s former president and another top official of employment discrimination.
The lawsuit filed on Monday in Washington County Court was brought by Elizabeth Kennedy, a 13-year employee who worked most recently as the private military school’s vice president of development and alumni relations. It says Kennedy repeatedly blew the whistle on her boss, former Norwich President Mark Anarumo, for “years of misconduct and creation of sex-based discriminatory employment conditions.”
The suit alleges Anarumo “regularly engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior, made inappropriate sexual comments, and otherwise directed inappropriate verbal and physical treatment toward women.”
Kennedy also accuses Dave Whaley, the predecessor in her job, of making sexist and offensive comments reflecting his biased views about women in the workplace.
Kennedy says college officials knew for years about the behavior but not only failed to act, they retaliated against her by demoting her and cutting her pay.
University officials said in a statement Friday: “Norwich University disputes the allegations raised by Ms. Kennedy. Her claims are wholly meritless. We expect to vigorously defend the matter and prevail. "
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