PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh faces a retaliation and discrimination lawsuit from an employee it put on a one-year unpaid suspension.
Dr. Chitrabhanu Bhattacharya filed a lawsuit June 21 in federal court against the University of Pittsburgh, alleging discrimination and retaliation in violation of federal and state laws.
Dr. Bhattacharya, a 63-year-old professor of Indian origin with a disability, claims he faced adverse employment actions after being accused of verbal sexual harassment and misuse of university resources.
He asserts that these accusations were unfounded and discriminatory, highlighting that a younger, non-disabled white colleague faced less severe consequences for more serious misconduct.
Ultimately, he was suspended for a year without pay. The complaint alleges numerous procedural failings by the university, including lack of due process and failure to accommodate his disability.
James Lieber of Lieber Hammer Huber & Paul represents the plaintiff.