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John Doe V U. Mass Amherst - Complaint
John Doe V U. Mass Amherst - Complaint
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
JOHN DOE,
Plaintiff,
-against-
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
AMHERST,
Defendant.
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Civ. Action No.:
COMPLAINT
JURY TRIAL
DEMANDED
Plaintiff John Doe, ("John Doe"), by his attorneys Nesnoff & Miltenberg,
LLP, as and for his Complaint, respectfully alleges as follows:
THE NATURE OF THIS ACTION
1 . This case arises out of the actions, inactions, omissions, and the flawed
procedures employed by Defendant University of Massachusetts Amherst
("Defendant UMass") concerning the wrongful allegations of sexual misconduct
made against Plaintiff, by fellow UMass student, Jane Doe. Plaintiff and Jane Doe
met through mutual friends at a social gathering on the evening of September 1 3,
201 3 ("Evening of September 1 3"). Following four hours of back-and-forth
flirtation, Jane Doe text messaged her roommate to reserve her room to be alone
with Plaintiff. The two became intimate and eventually engaged in sexual
intercourse in Jane Does dormitory room. Prior to each act leading up to and
Plaintiff has filed, contemporaneously with this Complaint, a Motion to proceed pseudonymously.
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including, sexual intercourse, Plaintiff asked for Jane Does consent and, each time,
Jane Doe responded clearly and verbally with "Yes." Once back in his room,
Plaintiff grew worried that perhaps they were not as careful as they should have
been and reached out to Jane Doe to suggest that she consider taking "Plan B," the
morning after pill.
2. With his romantic interest piqued, Plaintiff reached out to Jane Doe
hours later (on September 14) via text message. However, Jane Doe was slow to
respond and when she did respond, her messages were distant. Plaintiff was
crushed to realize that their evening of consensual sex the prior night was merely a
one-night-stand for Jane Doe.
3. Unbeknownst to Plaintiff, Jane Doe claimed not to recall what
happened when discussing the Evening of September 13 with her friends the
following day. At their urging, .Jane Doe decided to report the Evening of
September 13 to UMass administrators.
4. Although no police report was ever filed, and Jane Does complaint
never classified the Evening of September 13 as "non-consensual," "rape," or
"assault," lJMass charged Plaintiff with four (4) violations of the Code of Student
Conduct, namely, (i) Threatening Behavior; (ii) Sexual Harassment; (iii) Sexual
Misconduct; and (iv) Community Living Standards, banned him from campus
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(except for classes) and immediately pronounced him a "threat" and required him to
vacate his dormitory. Ultimately, Defendant UMass found Plaintiff responsible for
three charges: sexual misconduct, sexual harassment and community living
standards violations, and expelled him from UMass.
5. When Defendant UMass found Plaintiff guilty of sexual misconduct,
Plaintiff was deprived of the most basic due process and equal protection rights and
was discriminated against on the basis of his male sex. UMass failed to conduct a
material investigation into Jane Does allegations. Plaintiff was not advised of all
resources available to him on campus; he was denied the effective assistance of any
advisor; he was denied medical care at University Health Services; he had to resort
to Freedom of Information Act requests to obtain relevant information that was not
readily provided to him by U Mass; cross-examination of his accuser was effectively
denied; Plaintiff and his hearing witness were hampered from providing essential
explanations and evidence of the Evening of September 13; and Plaintiff was met
with overall hostility, dismissal and pre-judgment as "guilty" before the Decision
was even rendered. The Hearing Boards treatment of Plaintiff during the Hearing,
especially by the chairperson. Dennis Conway, reflected the lack of impartiality and
pre-judgment against an accused male student.
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6. Defendant UMass failed to adhere to its own guidelines and
regulations, and the guidelines and regulations themselves are insufficient to enable
a student to have a fair hearing before an impartial tribunal. The decision reached
was discriminatory, presumptive and/or arbitrary and capricious; given the lack of
substantive evidence of Jane Does intoxication or lack of consent, a presumptive
and/or discriminatory bias against males was required for a conclusion of sexual
misconduct to be reached and expulsion ordered.
7. Plaintiff has been greatly damaged by the expulsion: Plaintiffs
educational career and his academic future have been severely damaged; the monies
spent on obtaining a college education at Defendant UMass squandered; and his
psychological, emotional, and physical health have been greatly compromised by
the entire ordeal. Thus, Plaintiff brings this action to obtain relief based on causes
of action for, among other things, violations of Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972 and state law.
THE PARTIES
8. Plaintiff John Doe, ("Plaintiff or "John Doe"), is a natural person
residing in Bristol, Connecticut. During the events described herein, Plaintiff was a
student at tJMass and resided on the UMass campus in Amherst, Massachusetts.
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9. Upon information and belief, Defendant University of Massachusetts
Amherst ("Defendant tJMass" or "UMass") is a nationally-ranked public research
university located in Amherst, Massachusetts. Upon information and belief, 25% of
UMass funding is derived from Massachusetts state funds.
10. Plaintiff and Defendant tJMass are sometimes hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Parties."
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
11. This Court has diversity and supplemental jurisdiction pursuant to 28
U.S.C. 1331 and under 28 U.S.C. 1332 because: (i) Plaintiff and Defendant
UMass are citizens of different states and the amount in controversy exceeds
$75,000.00, exclusive of costs and interest; and (ii) the state law claims are so
closely related to the federal law claims as to form the same case or controversy
under Article Ill of the U.S. Constitution.
12. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant UMass on the
grounds that Defendant UlViass is conducting business within the State of
Massachusetts.
13. Venue for this action properly lies in this district pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
1391 because a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim
occurred in this judicial district.
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FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS COMMON TO ALL CLAIMS
1. Agreements, Representations, Covenants &
Warranties Between Plaintiff and Defendant tJMass
14. Plaintiff is a Connecticut native who worked diligently in high school
to prepare for his eventual entry into college. In addition to achieving a high grade
point average and competitive SAT scores, Plaintiff also obtained four (4) advanced
placement credits, performed volunteer work, and played varsity track and field.
15. Setting his sights on a competitive, top quality education, Plaintiff
applied to UMass and was accepted to the class of 2016.
16. Upon his acceptance, Defendant UMass provided Plaintiff with copies
of its school policies, including the Code of Student Conduct 2012/2013 (the
"Code").
17. The Code states in relevant part:
Because the functions of a university depend on honesty,
integrity and civility among its members, the University of
Massachusetts, expects a higher standard of conduct than the
minimum required to avoid disciplinary action.
While many of the Universitys standards of conduct parallel the
laws of society in general, university standards also may be
set higher and more stringently than those found elsewhere
in society.
See Code of Student Conduct, Section 1 (C), p. 2 (emphasis added).
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1 8 . liMass addresses the impact of voluntary consumption of drugs and
alcohol on a students behavior without any limitation on gender or puny position,
i.e. complainant vs. respondent:
Any behavior which may have been influenced by a students
mental state (irrespective of the ultimate evaluation), or
voluntary use of drugs or alcoholic beverages shall not in any
way limit the responsibility of the student for the
consequences of his or her actions.
See Code of Student Conduct, Section I (M), p. 3 (emphasis added).
1 9. According to the Code, IJMass ensures that all Hearing Board
members attend "a training program that includes but is not limited to specialized
training in addressing sexual assault and bias related incidents." See Code of
Student Conduct, Section 1 1 1 (A), p. 8 (emphasis added). The standards set forth in
the Code are not dissimilar from those set out by the U. S. Department of
Educations Office for Civil Rights (OCR) "Dear Colleague Letter," dated April 4,
201 1 .
20. The members of the Hearing Board must be impartial. See Code of
Student Conduct, Section IV (B),
p.
1 0.
21 UMass defines "Sexual Misconduct" as (a) engaging in a sexual act
with another person (i) without consent, (ii) by placing the other person in fear of
harm, or (iii) by administering alcohol or drugs to the other person without that
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persons knowledge; or (b) engaging in a sexual act with another person when: (i)
the other person is incapable of understanding or is unaware of the sexual act by
reason of intoxication; (ii) physically incapable of resisting or communicating
consent; or (iii) the other person is under the age of 16. See Code of Student
Conduct, Section II (13)(4),
p.
5.
22. UMass acknowledges that the Title IX Coordinator has a responsibility
to coordinate the recipients efforts to comply with its obligations under Title IX
and the Title IX regulations. See Affirmative Action and Non-Discrimination Policy
Statement, available at http://www.umass.edu/eod/aapolicy.html (last visited July
28, 2014). These responsibilities include coordinating any investigations of
complaints received pursuant to Title IX and the implementing regulations. j.
23. In the Fall of 2012, Plaintiff traveled from Bristol, Connecticut to
Amherst, Massachusetts to join the class of 2016 at UMass.
II. The Evening Of September 13
24. On or about September 13, 2013, at around 10:00 p.m. in the evening,
Plaintiff attended a party at his friends, Thimi Prifti, dormitory room on the 5th
floor of Field Hall.
25. When he arrived, Plaintiff noticed that there was alcohol at the party.
Plaintiff did not know anyone other than Mr. Prifti at the party, however, he fixed
n b
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himself a drink and began to mingle. One of the individuals in the room was Jane
Doe Soon, everyone began to play a card game called, "Kings," and Plaintiff
joined in the card game
26 At around midnight, everyone stopped playing card games and began
talking, dancing and listening to music Jane Doe approached Plaintiff and started
talking to him. Plaintiff had not taken notice of whether or not Jane Doe had
consumed alcohol during the night, but at this point she was speaking clearly and
exhibited no signs of intoxication or incapacitation Plaintiff and Jane Doe
continued to talk for a long time, then Jane Doe asked Plaintiff for his cell phone
number.
27. For the next few hours, Jane Doe and Plaintiff traded text messages
during the party and watched YouTuhe videos together, including the music video
for the song, "Blurred Lines," by Robin Thicke. Both agreed that they enjoyed that
song very much. All night long, Jane Doe was clearly interested in pursuing
Plaintiff and followed Plaintiff whenever he walked around during the party or
outside in the lounge area of Field Hall.
28 At no point during the evening did Jane Doe appear intoxicated To
the contrary, at all times, Jane Doe appeared to be very comfortable with Plaintiff,
leaning towards him, making eye contact and smiling. Jane Doe was fully
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conscious and aware of her surroundings; she spoke to Plaintiff in a coherent and
intelligible manner without slurring her speech, and walked from place to place
with Plaintiff without stumbling Furthermore, Jane Doe texted back and forth with
Plaintiff throughout the evening about various subject matters, including comments
about the song, "Blurred Lines" All the while, Jane Does text messages
demonstrated correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
29 Deciding that she wanted to be alone with Plaintiff to have sexual
intercourse, at about 2:00 a.m., Plaintiff text messaged her roommate, Olivia
Harrington, to reserve her room When Ms Harrington asked whether Jane Doe
was sure about spending the night with someone she just met, Jane Doe responded,
"its all good," that she was "tine," and that she was not "drunk that much
anymore." It should be noted that neither Mr. Tires, nor Ms. Harrington was
present at the party held at Mr. Prittis dorm room that night. Mr. Harrington did
not check on Jane Doe or refuse to clear the room that evening.
30. Jane Doe and Plaintiff began kissing in the lounge area of Field Hall.
After about ten (10) minutes of kissing, Jane Doe invited Plaintiff to her room. Jane
Doe told Plaintiff that it would be more private in her room than the lounge because
her roommate was not there that night. At that point, Plaintiff stated that he did not
have a condom on him, but suggested he could stop off at his dorm room to pick
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one up. Jane .Doc replied, "good" and told Plaintiff to meet her at her room on the
6th
floor of Field Flail and to bring the condom with him.
31. Mr. .Prifti spotted Plaintiff and Jane Doe leaving the lounge at around
2:30 a.m. Plaintiff went to his room to get a condom and then went to Jane Does
room and knocked on her door. At no point during this time did Jane Doe text
message or call Plaintiff to tell him she had changed her mind about having sexual
intercourse that night.
32. When Plaintiff arrived at Jane Does dorm room, Jane Doe greeted him
at the door and welcomed him inside. Jane Doe still appeared completely sober.
33. Plaintiff and Jane Doe went to her bed and began kissing. Plaintiff
asked if she was a virgin and Jane Doe responded,
? ? N O ! ?
and that she had sex a few
times before.
34. Before each successive act, Plaintiff asked Jane Doe for permission
first. Before he removed her shirt, Plaintiff asked for .Jane Does consent and she
replied, "Yes." After kissing for a while, Plaintiff asked if he could remove her bra,
and again Jane Doe replied, "Yes" and proceeded to take her bra off herself. Before
he touched her breasts, Plaintiff asked for permission again, and, again, she replied,
"Yes." Plaintiff asked if she wanted to perform oral sex with him, to which she
responded, "Yes" before she proceeded to straddle Plaintiffs legs and unbutton and
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pull down his pants and underwear. She proceeded to perform oral sex on Plaintiff
while he laid there on the bed caressing her hair. At no point did she indicate to
Plaintiff, through her words or actions, that she wanted to stop performing oral sex.
35. Next, Plaintiff asked if he could take off Jane Does pants and
underwear, and she said "Yes." She proceeded to take her own pants and
underwear off. After kissing a while longer, Plaintiff asked Jane Doe what she
wanted him to do, to which she responded, "Please fuck me" and reminded Plaintiff
to use a condom.
36. Plaintiff and Jane Doe engaged in sexual intercourse for less than a
minute before Plaintiff was no longer stimulated. Instead, Plaintiff and Jane Doe
began to cuddle and kiss for a while until Plaintiff asked if Jane Doe wanted to
perform oral sex on him again. Jane Doe responded, "Yes" and proceeded to
perform oral sex on Plaintiff. Plaintiff then asked if she wanted him to perform oral
sex on her and she stated, "Yes." It was about 4:40 a.m. when both Plaintiff and
Jane Doe finished engaging in sexual activity and Plaintiff had climaxed onto Jane
Doe. At that point, Jane Doe advised that her roommate might return soon and
suggested that Plaintiff leave her room.
37. Jane Doe indicated that she was going to take a shower and she stood
up and put on her towel, grabbed her shower caddy, and put on her flip flops.
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38. Plaintiff began to put his clothes on and told her that he had fun that
night and that it would he great to do it again. Jane Doe agreed and then left the
room and walked down the hail to the bathroom to shower.
39. Once back in his room, Plaintiff grew worried that perhaps they were
not as careful as they should have been and reached out over text message to Jane
Doe to suggest that she consider taking "Plan B," the morning after pill.
40 Plaintiff eventually drifted off to sleep at around 5: 00 a.m. on
September 14, 2013.
41. When Plaintiff awoke later that morning. Plaintiff still had not received
a response text message from Jane Doe. Plaintiff reached out to Jane Doe via text
message to touch base. However, Jane Doe was slow to respond and when she did
respond, her messages seemed as though she was less interested in continuing a
relationship. Plaintiff was crushed to realize that then evening of consensual se
the prior night was merely a one-night-stand for Jane Doe, because Plaintiff was
hopeful that it would he the start of dating relationship.
III. Defendant LJMasss Mishandling Of Jane Does
Complaint About The Evening of September 13
42. On September 14, 2013, Jane Doe texted with her roommate, Olivia
Harrington and friend, James Pires, about the prior evening with Plaintiff.
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43. Apparently, Jane Doe claimed that she could not recall the events of
the Evening of September 13. However, Jane Does friends coaxed and urged her
to seek health services and to report the Evening of September 13 to UMass. Jane
Doe went to University Health Services and made a report with the Dean of
Students Office on September 15, 2013. Upon information and belief, no rape kit
was ever performed, and UMass never asked whether one was performed.
44. In her formal written complaint, Jane Doe never classifies the Evening
of September 13 as, "harassment," "assault," or "rape." Instead, she describes
details of meeting Plaintiff that evening and stated that she "feel[s] bad writing this
report because [she] [doesnt] know how to classify what happened to [her] that
night."
45. Notwithstanding Jane Does apparent confusion and/or equivocation,
on September 18, 2013, IJMass advised Plaintiff that he was being charged with
four (4) violations of the Code, namely, "Threatening Behavior," "Sexual
Harassment," "Sexual Misconduct" and "Community Living Standards"
(collectively, the "Charges"), for his one night of consensual sex with Jane Doe on
the Evening of September 13.
46. Plaintiff was shocked when he learned that Jane Doe had filed a formal
complaint with UMass regarding their one evening of consensual sexual activity,
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coupled with the fact that he had seen Jane Doe happily playing Frisbee with
friends on campus on September 14 His shock was compounded by the fact that he
was still dealing with the emotional rejection from Jane Does lack of responses to
his efforts to start a more serious relationship
47 Immediately, UMass pronounced John Doe a "threat" and banned him
from all premises of the university except to attend classes, due to Jane Does false
accusations U1\4ass issued a "no contact" order against Plaintiff with respect to
Jane Doe Plaintiff was given less than 8 hours notice to gather a few of his
belongings, find a place to stay, secure a means of transportation, and leave campus
48 Plaintiff was advised that he was entitled to access the on-campus
Counseling & Psychological Services.
49. Purportedly, UMasss Student Legal Services provides representation,
document preparation, counseling, mediation, referral and advisors for disciplinary
hearings legal advice for UMass students on a variety of matters, including, without
limitation, Code of Student Conduct violations. However, Defendant UMass
initially failed to advise Plaintiff of the availability of such services for the purpose
of defending against his disciplinary hearing or his right to use such services
50. At no point did UMass ever advise Plaintiff that the Title IX
Coordinator, Debora Ferreira, was an additional resource at his disposal. In fact,
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Plaintiff later learned that UMasss own Title IX Coordinator had no knowledge of
Plaintiffs student conduct case until after the case was already decided by the
Hearing Board.
51 Following his meeting about the Charges on September 18, Plaintiff
sought to obtain health services on campus to have a physical examination and
sexually transmitted disease testing performed. Additionally, Plaintiff sought a
referral for counseling for his extreme stress stemming from the Charges he was
faced with.
52 However, University Health Services refused to provide a physical
examination or STD testing on the grounds that they had "never been in this
situation" before and were "not equipped" to handle this. Plaintiff was advised that
he would be "better served" by going to the local hospital, Cooley Dickinson
Hospital, in Northampton, Massachusetts instead As a result, Plaintiff was forced
to incur the additional costs of an emergency room visit to perform such services,
including the physical strain and inconvenience of driving an additional distance
each way and waiting for hours in the emergency room before receiving medical
attention.
53. Upon information and belief, TilMass failed to conduct any material
investigation of the Charges; UuiViass failed to interview witnesses, and failed to
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conduct any material investigation of Jane Does alleged intoxication on the
Evening of September 13 In fact, upon information and belief, UMass failed to
assign a specially trained Title IX investigator to conduct an investigation in this
case Any information-gathering was performed by several different UlMass
officials, who are not properly trained in sexual misconduct or the effects of
alcohol. The entire process was disorganized and chaotic. Plaintiff was banned
from campus during this entire time other than to attend class.
54. During the time period that Plaintiff was banned from campus, he had
to drive nearly two (2) hours each way to and from his home in Bristol, Connecticut
to Amherst, Massachusetts to attend classes. The daily four (4) hour commute,
combined with the added stress of the disciplinary process, negatively impacted
Plaintiffs studies and health.
55. in preparation of his defense, Plaintiff prepared a list of cross-
examination questions for the Hearing Board to ask Jane Doe at the Hearing.
However, he was required to submit the list of questions to Dean Patricia Cardoso
first and, following her review, part of his list of questions was deleted by Dean
Cardoso for no apparent reason, including, questions such as "How much did you
drink?" and "Do you remember sending John Doe text messages?" Given the fact
that Jane Doe admitted in text messages that she kicked out her roommate in order
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to have the room to herself to engage in sexual activity with Plaintiff and that she
was not drunk by the time she made the decision to have sex, Plaintiffs questions
were proper and should not have been deleted Dean Cardoso assured Plaintiff that
the Hearing Board would ask "very in-depth questions" to Jane Doe and that
Plaintiff "has nothing to worry about"
56. The Code states, "[b]oth the complainant and charged student are
entitled to view and receive copies of all submitted witness statements prior to the
hearing" Code of Student Conduct, Section IV (E),
p
10
57 On or about September 26, 2013, UMass finally provided Plaintiff with
a packet of documents for his review, which purportedly constituted the
investigation file, including: statements by Plaintiff and by Jane Doe, text messages
between Plaintiff and Jane Doe, notes from meetings with Plaintiff and Student Life
and Conduct Coordinator Patrick Dowling and Assistant Dean of Students Kelly
Gray, and emails from Plaintiff to UlMass regarding the incident
58. Believing (correctly) that there should be more documents relevant to
the Charges, but not produced by UMass, Plaintiff made a request to UMass on
October 31, 2013 to provide him with "any and all documents or information the
University had or has received regarding this matter." In response, UMass provided
the following additional documents dated that same day, October 31, 2013: email
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statements by Olivia Harrington, Thimi Prifti and James Pires, and text messages
between Jane Doe and Ms. Harrington.
59. Notwithstanding UMasss two separate productions of documents in
September and October, UMass still failed to provide Plaintiff with all relevant case
documents to aid in Plaintiffs defense of the charges.
IV. The Disciplinary Hearing
60. On November 5, 2013, UMass held a student conduct hearing
regarding the allegations of sexual misconduct against Plaintiff ("Hearing").
61. The student conduct hearing board consisted of three (3) members,
which included one student, Ashley Prinz, and two faculty, DeVaughn King and
Jessica Prodoehl ("Hearing Board"). The chairperson of the Hearing was Dennis
Conway.
62. As Ulviass failed to provide to Plaintiff all documents related to his
student conduct case, the Hearing Board did not have before it several key pieces of
information, including, but not limited to: (i) the Incident Report, if any, by the
Resident Assistant, Mike Petrillo, who was on duty the Evening of September 13,
2013; (ii) the Incident Report, if any, by the Resident Director, Ben Kisang, who
was on duty on the Evening of September 13, 2013; (iii) the report, if any, by
Residence Education Leadership (REL), Ryan Young, (iv) the report, if any, by the
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triage nurse who fielded Jane Does call; (v) the report, if any, from the Center for
Women & Community staff who spoke to Jane Doe; and (vi) missing pages from
emails between Dean Patricia Cardoso and Jane Does roommate Olivia Harrington
and friend James Pires, which contained handwritten notes by Dean Cardoso
63. Throughout the Hearing, Mr. Conways line of questioning, tone,
demeanor and overall behavior demonstrated his presumptive bias against Plaintiff
and/or failure to conduct a fair, equitable and objective opportunity for Plaintiff to
be heard Mr. Conway constantly interrupted Plaintiffs testimony and the
testimony of Plaintiffs witnesses, yet did not do the same for Jane Doe Mr.
Conway posed questions to Plaintiff in a confusing manner and became belligerent
when Plaintiff asked for clarification.
64. In stark contrast, Mr. Conway was supportive of Jane Doe and
addressed her in a calm, soothing and reassuring manner throughout the Hearing.
Mr. Conway belittled Plaintiffs responses and became distracted whenever
Plaintiff provided essential testimony. Mr. Conway also prevented Plaintiff from
explaining his submission of documentary evidence, "Typical Effects of BAC,"
regarding blood alcohol content to contradict Jane Does testimony and prove his
point about Jane Does behavior on the Evening of September 13. Mr. Conways
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accusatory behavior toward Plaintiff was highly prejudicial, in violation of the
Code, and cast doubt as to the Hearing Boards overall impartiality.
65. The Hearing Board did not engage in meaningful cross-examination of
Jane Doe and did not allow Plaintiff to ask all of the UMass-approved questions he
had prepared for her. Plaintiff was not given any opportunity to question Jane Doe
regarding the information that she provided at the Hearing. The Hearing Board
failed to question Jane Doe about her alleged use of anti-depressants, whether she
took anti-depressants on the Evening of September 13, or its potential side effects
when mixed with alcohol. Despite Dean Cardosos assurances that the Hearing
Board would ask "very in-depth questions" to Jane Doe and that Plaintiff "has
nothing to worry about," the Hearing Board neglected to ask all of Plaintiffs
questions; they did not even ask all of the questions approved by Dean Cardoso.
66. Although it was confirmed that Ms. Harrington was not present at the
party on the Evening of September 13, the Hearing Board did not question Ms.
Harrington about the basis of her knowledge that Jane Doe was purportedly "too
intoxicated" to consent to sexual intercourse with Plaintiff that night or why she
vacated the room as Jane Doe directed and did not check on Jane Doe if she was, as
purported, "too intoxicated."
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67. Plaintiff attempted to explain that he did not witness how much Jane
Doe drank that evening and was completely unaware of Jane Does purported
intoxication and/or incapacitation on the Evening of September 13 However, the
Hearing Board was dismissive of Plaintiffs testimony about Jane Does coherent
speech, logical text messages, pre-planning to have the room vacated, and full
control over her physical body movements on the Evening of September 13.
68 The Hearing was three and one half (3 and 1/2) hours and ended by
5:00 p.m.
69. The Hearing was recorded via audio tape.
V. Plaintiffs Formal Complaint of Harassment Is Ignored
And Jane Doe Escapes Scrutiny Of Her Own Actions
70. On December 8, 2013, Plaintiff filed a formal complaint of harassment
against Jane I)oc to liMass pursuant to Section II (B)(2) of the Code, p. 5.
71. However, by March 4, 2014, liMass had failed to contact the Plaintiff
about his complaint. The Plaintiff submitted requests to UMass to obtain the status
of the complaint or the investigation conducted, if any, regarding the allegations of
his complaint UMass failed to provide a response to the Plaintiff regarding the
status of his December 8, 2013 harassment complaint
72 Plaintiff submitted a FOJA request on April 4, 2014 to UMass to
request all documents, reports and outcomes regarding his harassment complaint
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and copies of any emails sent or received by or among university
staff/administrators regarding same
73 UMass responded in June 2014 advising the Plaintiff only of the cost
to obtain the information, including fees for staff time to search documents and fees
for photocopying the documents
74. Although Jane Doe admitted to consuming alcohol on the Evening of
September 13, it should be noted that Jane Doe was never charged with a violation
of UMasss alcohol policy for underage drinking, nor was her voluntary use of
alcohol considered as an "aggravating" factor with respect to the allegations,
notwithstanding UMasss clear policy that, "[a]ny behavior which may have been
influenced by a students mental state (irrespective of the ultimate evaluation), or
voluntary use of drugs or alcoholic beverages shall not in any way limit the
responsibility of the student for the consequences of his or her actions." See Code
of Student Conduct, Section 1(M), p. 3.
75. Upon information and belief, UMasss preferential treatment of Jane
Doe over Plaintiff is undeniably linked to her female gender and against Plaintiffs
male gender.
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VI Decision & Sanctions
76 On November 7, 2013, Plaintiff learned that the Hearing Board found
him "Responsible" for three out of four charges, namely, "Sexual Harassment,"
"Sexual Misconduct" and "Community Living Standards" ("Decision") In its
Decision, UlMass stated that Plaintiff should have known Jane Doe was intoxicated
to the point of black out and unable to give consent.
77. In the Decision, the Hearing Board determined that Ms. Harrington
was more credible than Plaintiff and credited her testimony to corroborate Jane
Does intoxication on the Evening of September 13. However, the Decision fails to
provide any detail about why the Hearing Board found Ms. Harrington more
credible than Plaintiff, despite the fact that Ms. Harrington was not even present at
the party on the Evening of September 13 to witness Jane Does behavior and
demeanor, and was not in Jane Does room when Plaintiff and Jane Doe engaged in
consensual sexual intercourse that evening.
78. Another grounds for the Decision was that Plaintiff was "able to be
more and less detailed when questioned about specific parts of the incident" This
stated ground was a blatant mischaracterization, Plaintiff was not allowed to
provide full answers to Mr. Conways arbitrary and confusing line of questioning
24
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due to Mr. Conways constant interruption of Plaintiffs testimony - any "lack of
detail" was due to the Hearing Boards handling of the Hearing. Meanwhile, Jane
Doe was purportedly unable to recall whole segments of the evening, yet was able
to conveniently recall drinking at the party, meeting Plaintiff, and taking a shower
following the consensual sexual intercourse with Plaintiff. UMass allowed Jane Doe
to be "more and less detailed when questioned about specific parts of the incident,"
without scrutiny and without penalty.
79. Defendant UlMasss decision was arbitrary and capricious given the
lack of a full and complete record of evidence, failure to conduct a proper
investigation and slanted hearing process.
80. Concurrent with the Decision, UlViass provided Plaintiff with a Student
Conduct Hearing Board Report ("Report"), which provided a summary of the
allegations and the evidence purportedly received by the Hearing Board at the
Hearing. In the Report, Plaintiff noticed several glaring errors and/or
misstatements/mischaracterizations of the evidence presented to the Hearing Board.
81. First, Jane Doe never stated that her hair was pulled on the Evening of
September 13. However, the Report described the event by stating that Jane Doe
"remembered her hair being pulled." The Report described the chronology of the
events of the Evening of September 13 and stated that "things are getting blurry"
25
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for Jane Doe. However, such description was taken out of context and completely
ignored the fact that Jane Doe and Plaintiff were texting that evening about the
Robin Thickes song, "Blurred Lines." At no point did Jane Doe claim that "things
were getting blurry" for her that evening.
82. Inexplicably, UlMass meted out the highest sanction of expulsion
("Sanction").
83. Plaintiff was advised of his right to appeal the Decision within five (5)
business days if Plaintiff could show a procedural error or irregularity which
materially affected the decision, or new evidence not previously available, which
would have materially affected the decision.
VII. Appeal of the Sanction
84 Upon his receipt of the decision of his Hearing, Plaintiff learned that
his sanction was expulsion. Plaintiff immediately began to work on the appeal of
the Decision.
85. To prepare his Appeal, Plaintiff requested a copy of the audio
recording of the Hearing pursuant to Code, Section III (D) (3). To his surprise,
there is a large portion of the recording that is missing, which corresponds to Ms.
Harrington s hearing testimony - - the "star witness" that the Hearing Board claims
to have based its Decision on.
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 26 of 48
86. Following the Decision, Plaintiff learned that one of the Hearing Board
members, Ashley Prinz, was a former intern with the District Attorney for the
Suffolk County District Attorneys Office. This critical fact was never disclosed to
Plaintiff prior to the Hearing. Ms. Prinzs experience with a prosecutor for the
Suffolk County District Attorneys Office facilitated a hearing that was
prosecutorial in nature Ms Prinzs background constituted a conflict of interest
against Plaintiff, as the accused student, and should have been disclosed and
appropriately dealt with
87 On November 18, 2013, Plaintiff filed his Appeal of the Decision
based on procedural errors committed during the investigation of Jane Does
complaint by the Dean of Students Office and during the Hearing, and based on
new evidence not readily available prior to the Hearing.
88. Plaintiff stated many reasons as the basis for his Appeal, including,
without limitation: (i) tJMasss failure to conduct a full and fair conflict check
among the Hearing Board members prior to the Hearing, including with respect to
Ashley Prinz; (ii) UlMasss failure to ensure that all Hearing Board members were
thoroughly and properly trained to decide cases of sexual misconduct and the
effects of alcohol, (iii) an incomplete audio recording of the Hearing, (iv) failure to
engage in meaningful cross-examination of Jane Doe about the extent of her
27
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intoxication and/or use of anti-depressant drugs (if at all); (v) failure to accurately
and fairly characterize statements made by the witnesses as to the details of the
evening, and (vi) wrongful reliance upon testimony of Ms Harrington, who was not
a witness with personal knowledge of the events of the Evening of September 13
89 On December 4, 2013, UMass issued a short letter to Plaintiff denying
the Appeal and upheld the Decision finding him responsible and his attendant
sanction of expulsion. UMass failed to provide any rationale or detail about why
the Decision was upheld.
90 UlMasss policies effectuate a failure of due process for the student
population, especially the male student population, in their current state because the
policies are set up to encourage and facilitate the reporting of false reports of sexual
misconduct and/or other grievances without any recourse for the falsely accused.
VIII. Plaintiff Makes Multiple Public Records Requests
To Obtain Relevant information in Defense Of
The Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
91. Following Plaintiffs expulsion, he realized that there must be more
relevant documents in existence than what was provided to him by UMass,
including a Resident Assistant Incident Report, and reports from the Universitys
Health Services, Center for Women & Community, and reports from the Resident
Director and Residence Education Leadership (REL).
28
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92. In December 2013, realizing that UlViass had not provided "all
documents" related to his conduct case as he had requested on October 31, 2013 in
preparation for the Hearing, the Plaintiff sought to obtain relevant information in
defense of the allegations against him Between December 2013 and May 2014,
the Plaintiff made a total of five (5) formal public records requests to UMass for
information the university had or received regarding the allegations against him
pursuant to Massachusetts Public Records Act 6-10, et seq. Plaintiff requested,
inter alia, (i) the Incident Report, if any, by the Resident Assistant, Mike Petrillo,
who was on duty the Evening of September 13, 2013; (ii) the Incident Report, if
any, by the Resident Director, Ben Kisang, who was on duty on the Evening of
September 13, 2013; (iii) the report, if any, by Residence Education Leadership
(REL), Ryan Young, (iv) the report, if any, by the triage nurse who fielded Jane
Does call; (v) the report, if any, from the Center for Women & Community stall
who spoke to Jane Doe and (vi) missing pages from emails between Dean Patricia
Cardoso and Jane Does roommate Olivia Harrington and friend James Pires,
which contained handwritten notes by Dean Cardoso.
93 In response to Plaintiffs first public records request, UMass stated that
all information contained in his student conduct file had previously been provided
However, UlVIasss response misses the point and did not preclude material
29
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information that existed outside Plaintiffs student conduct file. Plaintiff reiterated
his public records request, indicating that the request was not specific to the
contents of the student conduct file However, his follow up public records request
and three other public records requests were not responded to by UMass
94 UlMasss lack of responsiveness to Plaintiffs formal public records
requests resulted in Plaintiffs appeal to the Massachusetts Secretary of State to
obtain information he believed UlViass possessed but had not provided to him
regarding the conduct case against him For each and every public records request
UMass ignored, the Plaintiff submitted an appeal to the Secretary of State.
95. While UMass responded to the Plaintiffs public records requests, its
responses, at times, claimed the Plaintiffs requests were "exempt from disclosure"
on the basis of state law privacy statutes and/or required a fee for staff time to
search for documents and for photocopies prior to UMasss disclosure of same.
While UMass is entitled to charge a fee under Massachusetts Public Records Act,
records custodians are strongly urged to waive the fees in the interest of open
government. Notwithstanding such public policy, or the fact that Plaintiff was
defending his student conduct case, UlMass assessed the fees to Plaintiff prior to
gathering and providing any documentation
30
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96. UMass took nearly nine (9) months to respond to Plaintiffs many
requests for "any and all" information pertaining to Plaintiffs student conduct case,
including his public records requests, and in the end, UMass has still not provided
all information.
97. Upon information and belief, all public records requests were directed
to Dean Patricia Cardoso.
IX. Plaintiffs Entire Future is Severely
Damaged by Defendant UMasss Actions
98. As a result of Defendant UlMasss actions, Plaintiffs entire academic
career is ruined and, without a college education, his overall economic future is
completely compromised.
99. Currently, Plaintiffs education has been severely compromised due to
his expulsion from UMass. Plaintiffs ability to secure admission to any colleges at
a remotely equal caliber to that of UMass has also been severely compromised.
100. Plaintiffs academic and disciplinary record is completely tarnished
and will not withstand scrutiny by any transfer to another educational institution,
including graduate studies.
101. Asa result of Defendant UMasss actions, the financial resources used
to provide Plaintiff with a college education at UMass have been squandered.
31
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102. As a result of Defendant UMasss actions, Plaintiff has undergone
psychological counseling on a regular basis.
103. The stress of UMasss complete mishandling of Plaintiffs conduct
case greatly exacerbated Plaintiffs asthma, significantly raised his blood pressure,
and caused Plaintiff to suffer substantial weight gain.
104. Without appropriate redress, the unfair outcome of the Hearing will
continue to cause irreversible damages to Plaintiff, with no end in sight Plaintiff
seeks redress from this Court to undo the wrongs occasioned by UMass on his
education and future.
AS AND FOR THE FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
Violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
105. Plaintiff repeats and realleges each and every allegation hereinabove as
if hilly set forth herein.
106. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 provides, in relevant
part, that:
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded
from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination under any education program or activity receiving
Federal financial assistance
107 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 applies to an entire
school or institution if any part of that school receives federal funds; hence, athletic
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 32 of 48
programs are subject to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, even
though there is very little direct federal funding of school sports
108 Upon information and belief, Defendant IJMass receives federal
funding and grants
109 Both the Department of Education and the Department of Justice have
promulgated regulations under Title IX that require a school to "adopt and publish
grievance procedures providing for the prompt and equitable resolution of student...
complaints alleging any action which would be prohibited by" Title IX or
regulations thereunder. 34 C.F.R. 106.8(b) (Dept of Education); 28 C.F.R.
54.135(b) (Dept of Justice) (emphasis added). Such prohibited actions include all
forms of sexual harassment, including sexual intercourse, sexual assault, and rape. 2
II 0. The procedures adopted by a school covered by Title IX must not only
"ensure the Title IX rights of the complainant," but must also "accord[] due
process to both parties involved...
111 The "prompt and equitable" procedures that a school must implement
to "accord due process to both parties involved" must include, at a minimum
2
See generally U S Dept of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Revised Sexual Harassment
Guidance Harassment of Students by School Employees, Other Students, or Third Parties -- Title
IX (2001) at 19-20,21 & nn.98-101.
Id at 22 (emphasis added)
33
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"Notice . . . of the procedure, including where complaints
may be filed";
"Application of the procedure to complaints alleging [sexual]
harassment... ";
"Adequate, reliable, and impartial investigation of
complaints, including the opportunity to present witnesses
and other evidence",
"Designated and reasonably prompt timeframes for the major
stages of the complaint process"; and
"Notice to the parties of the outcome of the complaint...
,4
112. A school also has an obligation under Title IX to make sure that all
employees involved in the conduct of the procedures have "adequate training as to
what conduct constitutes sexual harassment, which includes "alleged sexual
assaults."
113. Based on the foregoing, Defendant UMass has deprived Plaintiff, on
the basis of his sex, of his rights to due process and equal protection through the
improper administration of and/or the existence, in its current state, of Defendant
UMass s guidelines and regulations.
4 1 d . at 20.
5 1 d . at 21.
34
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114. Based on the foregoing, UMasss own Title IX Coordinator had no
knowledge of Plaintiffs student conduct case until after the case was already
decided by the Hearing Board
115 Based on the foregoing, Defendant UMass failed to conduct any
material investigation of the Evening of September 13, and conducted the
subsequent Hearing in a manner that was biased against the male being accused.
116 Based on the foregoing, Jane Doe was supported by the university and
escaped scrutiny for her own violations of the Code, while Plaintiff was forced to
put together his own defense against all odds and was treated as "guilty until proven
innocent"
117. Based on the foregoing, the Decision demonstrates bias against the
male being accused insofar as Jane Does witnesses and memory recall were no
more trustworthy than that of Plaintiffs, but the Hearing Board failed to credit
Plaintiff in the same regard, and entirely discredited Plaintiffs memory recall and
witnesses.
118. To find a student responsible for sexual misconduct, the Code requires
the Hearing Board to find that the student forced the person to participate in a
sexual act without consent or engaged in a sexual act with that person while she was
incapable of understanding by reason of intoxication UlMass found Plaintiff
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 35 of 48
responsible of sexual misconduct. However, the evidence shows that Jane Doe
followed Plaintiff around all evening, did not exhibit slurred speech or staggering,
texted with her roommate to reserve their room to be alone with Plaintiff, and
vulgarly directed Plaintiff to engage in sexual intercourse and to use a condom.
119. The Hearing Board was not impartial and was inadequately trained.
The Hearing was conducted in a manner that was slanted against the male accused;
Mr. Conways line of questioning, tone, demeanor and overall behavior
demonstrated his bias against Plaintiff. In stark contrast, Mr. Conway was
supportive of Jane Doe and addressed her in a calm, soothing and reassuring
manner throughout the Hearing. Plaintiff was questioned in a prosecutorial manner
and constantly interrupted when he provided responses. Jane Doe, on the other
hand, escaped meaningful questioning about her text messages reserving the room
for herself and Plaintiff, and her overall incredible lack of memory of the evening.
120. Based on the foregoing, Defendant IJMass imposed sanctions on
Plaintiff that were disproportionate to the severity of the charges levied against him
and without any consideration of his clean disciplinary record at IJMass, and
without providing an adequate written summary for the basis therefor.
121. Based on the foregoing, Defendant U Masss guidelines and regulations
disproportionately affect the male student population of the UMass community as a
36
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 36 of 48
result of the higher incidence of female complainants of sexual misconduct against
male complainants of sexual misconduct
122 Based on the foregoing, male respondents in sexual misconduct cases
at UMass are discriminated against solely on the basis of sex They are invariably
found guilty, regardless of the evidence, or lack thereof.
123. Upon information and belief, UMass is currently under investigation
by the U S Department of Education regarding its handling of sexual assault
allegations.
124. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff is entitled to damages in an
amount to be determined at trial, plus prejudgment interest, attorneys fees,
expenses, costs and disbursements.
AS AND FOR THE SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
Breach of Contract
125. Plaintiff repeats and realleges each and every allegation hereinabove as
if fully set forth herein.
126. Based on the aforementioned facts and circumstances, Defendant
UMass breached express and/or implied agreement(s) with Plaintiff.
127. UMasss blanket statement that the provisions of the CSC are not to
be regarded as a contract between the student and the University," does not amount
37
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 37 of 48
to a waiver of liability for what amounts to a clear breach of contract by UMass in
this action
128 As a direct and foreseeable consequence of these breaches, Plaintiff
sustained tremendous damages, including, without limitation, emotional distress,
loss of educational opportunities, economic injuries and other direct and
consequential damages
129 Plaintiff is entitled to recover damages for Defendant UMass s breach
of the express and/or implied contractual obligations described above
130. As a direct and proximate result of the above conduct, actions and
inactions, Plaintiff has suffered physical, psychological, emotional and reputational
damages, economic injuries and the loss of educational opportunities.
131. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff is entitled to damages in an
amount to be determined at trial, plus prejudgment interest, attorneys fees,
expenses, costs and disbursements.
AS AND FOR THE THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION
Covenant of Good Faith and Fait Dealing
132 Plaintiff repeats and realleges each and every allegation hereinabove as
if fully set forth herein
133 Based on the aforementioned facts and circumstances, Defendant
UMass breached and violated a covenant of good faith and fair dealing implied in
38
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 38 of 48
the agreement(s) with Plaintiff by meting out a disproportionate sanction of
expulsion against Plaintiff, notwithstanding the lack of evidence in support of Jane
Does claim of sexual assault.
134. As a direct and foreseeable consequence of these breaches, Plaintiff
sustained tremendous damages, including, without limitation, emotional distress,
psychological damages, loss of educational opportunities, economic injuries and
other direct and consequential damages.
135. Plaintiff is entitled to recover damages for Defendant UlViasss breach
of the express and/or implied contractual obligations described above.
136. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff is entitled to damages in an
amount to be determined at trial, plus prejudgment interest, attorneys fees,
expenses, costs and disbursements
AS AND FOR THE FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION
Estoppel and Reliance
137. Plaintiff repeats and realleges each and every allegation hereinabove as
if fully set forth herein.
138. Defendant UMasss various policies constitute representations and
promises that Defendant UMass should have reasonably expected to induce action
or forbearance by Plaintiff.
39
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 39 of 48
139. Defendant UMass expected or should have expected Plaintiff to accept
its offer of admission, incur tuition and fees expenses, and choose not to attend
other colleges based on its express and implied promises that Defendant UlMass
would not tolerate, and Plaintiff would not suffer, harassment by fellow students
and would not deny Plaintiff his procedural rights should he be accused of a
violation of Code.
140. Plaintiff relied to his detriment on these express and implied promises
and representations made by Defendant UMass.
141. Based on the foregoing, Defendant UMass is liable to Plaintiff based
on Estoppel.
142. As a direct and proximate result of the above conduct, Plaintiff
sustained tremendous damages, including, without limitation, emotional distress,
psychological damages, loss of educational opportunities, economic injuries and
other direct and consequential damages.
143. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff is entitled to damages in an
amount to be determined at trial, plus prejudgment interest, attorneys fees,
expenses, costs and disbursements.
40
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 40 of 48
AS AND FOR THE FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
144. Plaintiff repeats and realleges each and every allegation hereinabove as
if fully set forth herein.
145. Based on the foregoing facts and circumstances, Defendant UMass
intentionally and/or with willful or wanton indifference to the truth, engaged in
conduct to expel Plaintiff from UMass without regard to the truth of the allegations
being made by Jane Doe and without evidence in support of Jane Does shaky
claims, and otherwise intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon Plaintiff.
146. The above actions and inactions by Defendant UlMass were so
outrageous and utterly intolerable that they caused mental anguish and severe
psychological and emotional distress to Plaintiff, as well as physical harm, financial
loss, humiliation, loss of reputation and other damages.
147. As a direct and proximate result of the above conduct, Plaintiff
sustained tremendous damages, including, without limitation, emotional distress,
loss of educational, economic injuries and other direct and consequential damages.
148. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff is entitled to damages in an
amount to be determined at trial, plus prejudgment interest, attorneys fees,
expenses, costs and disbursements.
41
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42
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 42 of 48
AS AND FOR THE SIXTH CAUSE OF ACTION
Negligence
149. Plaintiff repeats and realleges each and every allegation hereinabove as
if fully set forth herein.
150. Defendant UMass owed duties of care to Plaintiff. Such duties
included, without limitation, a duty of reasonable care in conducting an
investigation of the allegations of rape and sexual misconduct against him.
151. Defendant UlViass breached its duties owed to Plaintiff.
152. As a direct and proximate result of the above conduct, Plaintiff
sustained tremendous damages, including, without limitation, emotional distress,
psychological damages, loss of educational opportunities, economic injuries and
other direct and consequential damages.
153. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff is entitled to damages in an
amount to be determined at trial, plus prejudgment interest, attorneys fees,
expenses, costs and disbursements.
AS AND FOR THE SEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION
Declaratory Judgment
154. Plaintiff repeats and realleges each and every allegation hereinabove as
if fully set forth herein.
-
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 43 of 48
155. Defendant UlMass has committed numerous violations of the Parties
contracts and of federal and state law.
156. Plaintiffs education and future career has been severely damaged.
Without appropriate redress, the unfair outcome of the Hearing will continue to
cause irreversible damages to Plaintiffs educational career and future employment
prospects, with no end in sight.
157. As a result of the foregoing, there exists a justiciable controversy
between the Parties with respect to the outcome, permanency, and future handling
of Plaintiffs formal student record at UMass.
158. By reason of the foregoing, Plaintiff requests, pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
2201, a declaration that: (i) the outcome and findings made by UMass at Plaintiffs
Hearing be reversed, (ii) Plaintiffs reputation be restored, (iii) Plaintiffs
disciplinary record be expunged; (iv) the record of Plaintiffs expulsion from
UMass be removed from his education file; (v) any record of Plaintiffs Hearing be
permanently destroyed; and (vi) UMasss rules, regulations and guidelines are
unconstitutional as applied.
luffinm
WHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff demands judgment
against Defendant UMass as follows:
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 44 of 48
( 1 ) on the first cause of action for violation of Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1 972, a judgment awarding Plaintiff damages in an
amount to be determined at trial, including, without limitation,
damages to physical well-being, emotional and psychological
damages, damages to reputation, past and future economic losses,
loss of educational opportunities, and loss of future career prospects,
plus prejudgment interest, attorneys fees, expenses, costs and
disbursements;
( ii) on the second cause of action for breach of contract, a judgment
awarding Plaintiff damages in an amount to be determined at trial,
including, without limitation, damages to physical well-being,
emotional and psychological damages, damages to reputation, past
and future economic losses, loss of educational opportunities, and
loss of future career prospects, plus prejudgment interest, attorneys
fees, expenses, costs and disbursements;
( iii) on the third cause of action for breach of the covenant of good faith
and fair dealing, a judgment awarding Plaintiff damages in an
amount to be determined at trial, including, without limitation,
damages to physical well-being, emotional and psychological
damages, damages to reputation, past and future economic losses,
loss of educational opportunities, and loss of future career prospects,
plus prejudgment interest, attorneys fees, expenses, costs and
disbursements;
( iv) on the fourth cause of action for estoppel and reliance, a judgment
awarding Plaintiff damages in an amount to be determined at trial,
including, without limitation, damages to physical well-being,
emotional and psychological damages, damages to reputation, past
and future economic losses, loss of educational opportunities, and
loss of future career prospects, plus prejudgment interest, attorneys
fees, expenses, costs and disbursements;
( v) on the fifth cause of action for intentional infliction of emotional
distress, a judgment awarding Plaintiff damages in an amount to be
determined at trial, including, without limitation, damages to
physical well-being, emotional and psychological damages, damages
45
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 45 of 48
to reputation, past and future economic losses, loss of educational
opportunities, and loss of future career prospects, plus prejudgment
interest, attorneys fees, expenses, costs and disbursements;
(vi) on the sixth cause of action for negligence, a judgment awarding
Plaintiff damages in an amount to be determined at trial, including,
without limitation, damages to physical well-being, emotional and
psychological damages, damages to reputation, past and future
economic losses, loss of educational opportunities, and loss of future
career prospects, plus prejudgment interest, attorneys fees,
expenses, costs and disbursements;
(vii) on the seventh cause of action for a declaratory judgment pursuant to
28 U.S.C. 2201, a judicial declaration that: (i) the outcome and
findings made by UlMass at Plaintiffs Hearing be reversed; (ii)
Plaintiffs reputation be restored; (iii) Plaintiffs disciplinary record
be expunged; (iv) the record of Plaintiffs expulsion from UMass be
removed from his education file; (v) any record of Plaintiffs
Hearing be permanently destroyed; and (vi) UMasss rules,
regulations and guidelines are unconstitutional as applied; and
(viii) awarding Plaintiff such other and further relief as the Court deems
just, equitable and proper.
Dated: New York, New York
August 6, 2014
Respectfully submitted,
NESENOFF & MILTENBERG, LLP
Attorneys for Plaintiff
[Il A
By:____
Andrew T. Multei
pending)
LVL.XA4J.
A
rg, Esq.(pro liac vi
46
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 46 of 48
Kimberly C. Lau, Esq. pro hac vice
pending)
363 Seventh Avenue, Fifth Floor
New York, New York 10001
Tel: (212) 736-4500
klau(nrnI1plaw.com
amilten berg(n m Hplaw.com
-and-
local counsel for plaintiff,
Matthew T. McDonough Attorney At Law
Matthew T. McDonough, Esq.
482 Broadway
Somerville, MA 021,45
BBO#:665857
Tel (617)702-4012
matthew(iimcdonough-law net
Attorneys for Plaintiff John Doe
47
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 47 of 48
JURY DEMAND
John Doe herein demands a trial by jury of all triable issues in the present
matter.
Dated: New York, New York
August 6, 2014
Respectfully submitted,
NESENOFY & MILTENBERG, LLP
Attori;LffrsJor
By: VRO
: . . I
Ancli T Miltenberg, Esq (pro hdic vice
pending)
Kimberly C. La, Esq. (pro iwc vice
pending)
1
363 Seventh Avenue, Fifth Floor
New York, New York 10001
(212) 736-4500
klau(i)n rnllplaw.com
amilten berg(nmllp1aw.com
-and-
local counsel for plaintiff,
Is/Matthew T. McDonough
Matthew T McDonough
482 Broadway
Somerville, MA
BBO#.665857
Tel (617)702-4012
matthew(mcdonough-law net
Case 3:14-cv-30143-MGM Document 1 Filed 08/07/14 Page 48 of 48