Dr. Janet Monge, formerly of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, filed a defamation suit against Penn when a former student's allegations resulted in damage to her reputation. Dr. Monge alleges that Penn responded to the situation with a malicious statement that could harm Dr. Monge's ability to secure employment elsewhere.

Dr. Monge also alleges Penn failed to address the matter correctly through internal procedures. As of this writing, a United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has chosen not to dismiss the lawsuit.

Universities often have their own due process rules for handling allegations and accusations involving not just professors, but all staff members. Unfortunately, universities don't always abide by their own rules.

Have you lost a job, had your reputation harmed, or otherwise experienced unfair consequences because a university you work (or worked) for didn't follow internal procedures? Our Education Law Team at the LLF Law Firm can help in these circumstances. Learn more by contacting us through our online form or calling us at 888-535-3686.

Former Penn Professor Believes She Was ‘Smear Campaign' Target

The facts of this case are complex and nuanced. This is partially because it stems from circumstances that began several years ago. The following is a brief summary of the matter:

• Philadelphia police killed 11 members of the revolutionary MOVE family (aka the “Africa family”) in a 1985 bombing.
• Dr. Monge was involved in helping identify the victims through an investigation of their bones. She was also eventually tasked with storing the bones.
• Dr. Monge discussed and displayed fragments of the bones in an online course.
• A former undergraduate student of Dr. Monge's, known here as Mr. Mitchell, asked to complete his doctorate degree under her supervision at the University of Pennsylvania after he was accused of plagiarism at another university.
• According to Dr. Monge, Mr. Mitchell engaged in various forms of misconduct, such as accessing the Penn Museum and lab to explore bone fragments without permission. Dr. Monge also alleges that Mr. Mitchell continued to engage in plagiarism and even stole DNA samples.
• Dr. Monge reported her concerns to Penn Museum Security and Administrators. However, the university failed to take any disciplinary action against Mr. Mitchell. Dr. Monge filed another report with Penn Museum's administrators after a 2019 incident in which Mr. Mitchell allegedly screamed at her and threatened her in the presence of witnesses. Again, the school didn't discipline Mr. Mitchell.
• Mr. Mitchell met with the Director of the Penn Museum in April 2021 to accuse Dr. Monge of mishandling bone fragments. According to Dr. Monge, he also coordinated with his girlfriend at the time, another student with an alleged grudge against Dr. Monge, to discuss her alleged mishandling of the bone fragments in Billy Penn, a publication for which Mr. Mitchell's girlfriend was a writer.

The case attracted media attention. Penn issued an apology statement and gradually limited Dr. Monge's duties and salary. Dr. Monge sued for defamation and similar torts accordingly. Currently, the case against Penn can move forward.

Our Team Helps When Schools Don't Follow Their Own Rules

Again, Dr. Monge states one of Penn's errors involved not addressing this matter through proper internal channels and procedures. If something similar has happened to you, our Education Law Team at the LLF Law Firm can help. Contact us today online or call us at 888-535-3686 for more information.