Incidents at South Carolina State University
Total: 1
Incident 9026
Status:
Resolved
Person:
Thomas Wilson
Role:
Faculty
Position:
Department Chair, Professor
Discipline:
unknown
Specific Discipline:
Outcome Year:
1994
Outcome Category:
Jury / Judge Finding - Civil Case
Quote:
"On September 18, 1992, Wilson approached one of his students to engage in a conversation. Padgett was standing beside Wilson's student. Padgett alleged that Wilson “approached her [during the conversation] and without her consent laid hands on her in a sexually coercive manner.”
Padgett brought suit against Wilson in the United States District Court in January of 1993. She claimed battery, outrage, and violation of her constitutional rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for the sexual harassment. The claim for outrage was dismissed, but the other claims were submitted to the jury. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Padgett and awarded her $2,500 actual damages for assault and battery; $2,500 actual damages for the sexual harassment claim; and $20,000 in punitive damages for the § 1983 claim, which would increase to $100,000 in the event that Wilson was insured. A judgment for $25,000 was entered on August 16, 1994."
Padgett brought suit against Wilson in the United States District Court in January of 1993. She claimed battery, outrage, and violation of her constitutional rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for the sexual harassment. The claim for outrage was dismissed, but the other claims were submitted to the jury. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Padgett and awarded her $2,500 actual damages for assault and battery; $2,500 actual damages for the sexual harassment claim; and $20,000 in punitive damages for the § 1983 claim, which would increase to $100,000 in the event that Wilson was insured. A judgment for $25,000 was entered on August 16, 1994."
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