EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) - A former Emporia State University employee was awarded $64,303 Thursday after she complained the school retaliated against her by not renewing her contract when she complained about racial discrimination.
Angelica Hale and her husband, Melvin Hale, who are Black, filed separate lawsuits in 2016, alleging they were not rehired because they raised concerns about discrimination when an assistant found a note with a racial slur in their department.
Melvin Hale was an associate professor at School of Library and Information Management and Angelica Hale was a temporary employee in the department.
U.S. District Judge Danial Crabtree ruled in favor of Angelica Hale in July 2019 but awarded her only $1 in damages because he did not have sufficient evidence to determine an appropriate amount. Further motions were filed and on Thursday, Crabtree awarded Angelica Hale $48,312 in back pay and $15,991 in interest.
Crabtree did not award front pay in the case, and Angelica Hale said she planned to file a motion Friday seeking increased compensation.
Emporia State did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A jury dismissed Melvin Hale’s $10 million lawsuit against five school administrators in July 2019.
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