UPDATE: An index of pending lawsuits against AU and AU officials

By Emily Garcia |
Special to the Bell Ringer

Here is an updated list of pending lawsuits against AU and AU officials:

Dr. Linda Street v. AU Health System, AUMC, Phillip Coule:

Filing Date: June 17, 2020

Complaint: defamation, violations of due process rights and hospital bylaws. 

Court: Southern District of Georgia

Kerneisha Baur v. AU, Debra Arnold, Glenn Powell, Antoinette Lewis et. al:

Filing Date: June 10, 2020

Complaint: Violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family (ADA) and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Court: Southern District of Georgia

Dr. Lesley Williams v. AUMC, Phillip Coule, Brooks Keel et. al:

Filing Date: June 3, 2020

Complaint: Sex discrimination, defamation and retaliation in violation of the Georgia Whistleblower Act, as well as violations of the Equal Protections Clause.

Court: Southern District of Georgia

Dr. Joseph Z. T v. Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, David D. Hess

Filing Date: May 5, 2020

Complaint: Constructive termination based on race, unequal treatment in the workplace based on race, retaliation based on protected activity and deprivation of rights.

Court: Northern District of Georgia

Dr. Tipton Sholes v. AU Health, Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia:

Filing Date: April 23, 2020

Complaint: Breach of good faith and fair dealing as well as ADA violations

Court: Southern District of Georgia

Dr. Sarah Kavianpour v. AU, Phillip Coule, Brooks Keel, Debra Arnold et. al:

Filing Date: April 3, 2020

Complaint: Violations of ADA, Georgia Whistleblower Protections Act, Title VII, Title IX, the Fourth Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment, as well as breach of contract.

Court: Northern District of Georgia

Dr. Scott DeRossi v. AU Health, AU Dental Associates Inc., Carol Lefebvre et. al:

Filing Date: December 19, 2019

Complaint: Intentional breach of contract, equitable estoppel, quantum merit and breach of good faith and fair dealing.

Court: Richmond County Superior

Sarah White v. Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia

Filing Date: November 16, 2018

Complaint: Discrimination, retaliation and violation of due process rights.

Court: Richmond County Superior

Dr. Jay Hegde v. AU:

Filing Date: August 10, 2016

Complaint: Damages under the Georgia Whistleblower Act.

Court: Richmond County Superior

Writer’s Note: The lawsuits in this article have been summarized for brevity. The full complaint documents can be accessed at their respective courthouses. Not all lawsuits against AU could be procured for this index and as lawsuits are continually filed this list will be updated.

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