Discrimination suit sent to mediation
A lawsuit that alleges Penn State committed gender and racial discrimination against a professor has been referred to mandatory mediation, according to court documents.
Beverly Lindsay, a professor in the College of Education, filed a lawsuit Sept. 18 alleging that she received lower raises and had to teach a heavier course load than her colleagues, who are primarily white males, according to court documents.
Penn State disputed the claims, saying that Lindsay received a lower raise than her colleagues because of differences in performance, according to court documents.
After an initial conference, Judge James McClure ordered on Nov. 29 that mandatory mediation take place in May between Lindsay and Penn State representatives.
A conference is scheduled for May 23. If no settlement is reached during mediation, a trial is scheduled for November.
Sara Austin, Lindsay's attorney, said there were still some actions that must take place before the mediation and was unsure if a settlement would be reached.
Wright arraigned in federal court
Alleged drug ringleader Michael "Beanie" Wright was arraigned Tuesday in U.S. Middle District Court in Williamsport. He faces federal charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of controlled substances.
Wright, 33, is accused of leading a group of 15 drug dealers who sold more than $800,000 worth of crack cocaine in Centre County, according to the State College Police Department.
He was facing 21 counts across five separate cases at the state level. Wright will be represented by Williamsport public defender Toni Byrd.
Student will go to trial for burglary
A Penn State student was bound over for trial yesterday at Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.
Penn State University Police said Andrew D. Biddle, 21, entered a fifth-floor Beaver Hall dorm room Nov. 18 to support other persons during a physical altercation.
Police said Biddle acknowledged striking one of the victims with nunchucks on his back, forehead and top of the head.
Man faces indecent assault charges
A Penn State student was bound over for trial yesterday at Centre County Courthouse on charges of indecent assault, indecent exposure and harassment from an alleged event on Oct. 22.
Police said Alexander Sarafanov, 20, straddled and began grinding against an 18-year-old Penn State student who was staying the night at a residence on the 600 block of East College Avenue following a party there. The woman told police Sarafanov stuck his hands down her pants and placed her hand on his penis, all without consent, police said.
Both he and the woman were intoxicated and Sarafanov said he does not remember the incident, police said.
Small lab fire causes evacuation
Alpha Fire Department responded to a small lab fire that occurred in Room 9 of the Hosler Building on campus yesterday at about 5 p.m., according to Penn State public information. The building was evacuated, and no one was injured.
