Date: 08-12-2006

Case Style: Anita B. Brown v. Hampton University

Case Number: Unknown

Judge: Unknown

Court: Circuit Court, Hampton County, Virginia

Plaintiff's Attorney:

Verbena M. Askew, Newport News, Virginia

Defendant's Attorney:

Faye Hardy-Lucas

Description:

Psychology Professor Anita B. Brown sued Hampton University, its board of trustees, president William R. Harvey, and then-provost and acting university president JoAnn W. Haysbert on defamation and breach of contract theories. Brown claimed that she was denigrated at the May 2003 commencement ceremony at the University by Professor Erenestine Harrison who distributed fliers at the event that declared that Brown demonstrated "moral defectiveness" and could not "paraded around in front of everyone and denigrated Brown."

Defendants denied that they authorized or had any knowledge of the actions of Harrison and were not, therefore, liable for any defamatory statements that she made about Brown. Brown's contract with Hampton University was terminated by the University shortly after the end of the school year based on a finding that Brown authorized two summer courses' worth of pay for Harrison and another professor knowing each only taught one course. Brown denied that she knew that Harrison and Trotter had not taught the classes in 2001 for which she authorized payment.

Outcome: Plaintiff's verdict against Hampton University only on the defamation claim for $3.5 million.

Plaintiff's Experts: Unknown

Defendant's Experts: Unknown

Comments: None