HARRISBURG — An employee is suing Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and State System of Higher Education, a public university and governing body, citing alleged breach of contract, discrimination and retaliation.
Joseph Patrick Guerriero filed a complaint on May 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against the defendants, alleging violation of the Civil Rights Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that he was never considered for a promotion despite his qualifications and prior experience, causing him to suffer loss of career advancement, lost future wages and benefits, humiliation, emotional distress and loss of standing and reputation in the community.
The plaintiff holds Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and State System of Higher Education responsible because the defendants allegedly made unfounded allegations, created a sexually hostile atmosphere and sexual harassment, engaged in retaliatory conduct toward him in an effort to punish him for filing a lawsuit and have repeatedly and consistently failed and refused to take reasonably appropriate steps to remedy the retaliatory conduct.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in his favor and against the defendants, together with compensatory damages, punitive damages, reasonable attorney fees and costs of suit, and any other such relief that the court deems just and appropriate. He is represented by Andrew M. Smalley of Law Office of Andrew Smalley in State College.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Case number 4:16-cv-00740