In April 2022, New York University Students, alumni, and professors met outside NYU to protest the faculty appointment of Dr. David Sabatini, a biologist who had been pushed out of Massachusetts Institute of Technology over sexual misconduct allegations. The hashtag #SayNoToSabatini was trending online and in-person as students wrote to the University to say that putting him into a faculty position was a danger to the safety of the women at NYU.

Issues at MIT

Dr. Sabatini had previously been a faculty member at MIT. While working there, MIT began an investigation into allegations that he had engaged in a sexual relationship with a person he had a career-influencing role over. He also hid the relationship and did not take steps to surrender his mentoring and career-influencing roles, as the MIT policy necessitates.

Additionally, Dr. Sabatini was accused of sexual harassment by a former graduate student at MIT's Whitehead Institute. His accuser stated that he coerced her into sex as she was transitioning from a graduate student to a fellow at Whitehead and that he has a habit of grooming young women who seek him out for professional training and support.

The lawsuit against Dr. Sabatini is ongoing, and he has countersued for defamation, stating that he and his accuser were in a consensual relationship, which he ended, and she was now out to destroy his reputation and career. Dr. Sabatini's department chair at MIT recommended his tenure be revoked after launching an investigation into the sexual harassment and laboratory misconduct allegations.

Title IX Issues Are Sticky

Title IX is a federal regulation that mandates how schools must deal with sexual misconduct allegations against their students, faculty, and staff. If they refuse to do so, they will lose their federal funding. As is the case with most colleges and and universities, both MIT and NYU are federal-funded universities with Title IX policies.

If you are accused of a Title IX offense, like Dr. Sabatini, you need a strong defense. Title IX offenses are adhesive, meaning even if you opt to leave your current position, the Title IX offense could follow you to your next position and prevent you from starting fresh. Your best chance at getting past these accusations is to properly defend yourself from the start.

How an Attorney Advisor Can Help

Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm's Title IX Defense Team have spent years helping school faculty and staff navigate accusations of sexual misconduct or Title IX violations. They will work tirelessly to gather evidence, question witnesses, and present a strategic defense that will guarantee you the best possible outcome for your case.

You should not have to leave your position for allegations such as these, and even if you opt to do so, you should not be forced to have them follow you to the next position. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online. Attorney Lento and the Lento Law Firm can help.