A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has allowed a Howard University finance official to pursue his claims of race discrimination and retaliation.
Tyrone Pitts, who is Black, contends Howard wrongfully reassigned him and dramatically reduced his responsibilities after he raised concerns about tax issues, financial mismanagement and possible fraud against the university.
Howard hired Pitts in 1998 as a section chief in the controller’s office and eventually promoted him to assistant treasurer, according to the decision. When he voiced his concerns, a supervisor allegedly rejected his recommendation for an investigatory task force and began referring to African-Americans on the staff as “you people,” excluded Pitts from meetings and unfairly blamed him for problems.
He was transferred after filing an internal complaint, as well as complaints with the EEOC and District of Columbia’s human rights office, the suit contends. In the new position, he supervised four rather than 26 employees, although his $140,000 annual salary wasn’t reduced.
The university’s online staff director now lists him as director of the payroll office.
He sued Howard for Title VII race discrimination and for retaliation because he filed complaints and raised false claims allegations.
