Three men who lost their lawsuit against a former state university administrator over allegations he sexually abused them are taking their case to a federal appeals court.
The former East Stroudsburg University students filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit against Isaac Sanders, the school’s former vice president of advancement, alleging he used his high-powered job to offer them gifts, scholarships and campus jobs, then victimized them.
Sanders repeatedly denied touching any of the men, and a civil jury ruled in his favor in 2014. He’s never been charged with a crime.
The accusers contend the trial judge made numerous errors that prevented them from getting a fair hearing of their claims, according to documents filed late Wednesday with the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. They want the appeals court to grant them a new trial.
Sanders’ attorney brushed off the lawsuit Thursday, saying there was no truth to the claims and a court had already decided that.
“We strongly believe the appeal has absolutely no merit to it,” Harry Coleman said. “These young men had their day in court, and a jury disagreed with them and agreed with my client.”
The accusers’ motion said a U.S. District judge issued a series of rulings that damaged their case.
