Alabama State University must pay more than $1.1 million in attorney fees and legal costs on top of almost $1.1 million in damages, plus interest, for race and gender harassment and retaliation against three ex-employees, a federal judge has ruled.
Insurance will cover most of Alabama State’s “financial exposure,” the university said.
The fee award follows a jury verdict in favor of Jacqueline Weatherly, Cynthia Williams and Lydia Burkhalter. Two are African-American and one is biracial.
The three had worked under the supervision of Dr. John Knight and LaVonette Bartley, who subjected them to frequent racist and sexist comments in a hostile work environment, according to trial testimony in 2012. Both Knight and Bartley are African-American.
During the seven-year period covered by the lawsuit, Knight had been special assistant to the president, acting president and chief operating officer at the university, as well as a state representative. He is currently executive vice president and chief operating officer, according to the Alabama State directory.
Bartley worked for Knight as associate executive director in the Office of the Special Assistant to the President.
