An unidentified student has accused a Morehouse College assistant professor of sexual harassment and says the Historically Black College or University ignored the complaint.
In May 2015, the alleged victim says while on a study abroad trip to Brazil, Robert Peterson groped his genitals after having ordered the student an alcoholic drink on the flight. At the time, the student was under the legal drinking age.
The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports Peterson ordered drinks for other underage students on the trip during a pool party and sent sexually explicit pictures of himself.
“Peterson was known as a professor that exchanged good grades for sex,” the complaint states.
A faculty member reported the alleged incident to a department chair but it wasn’t forwarded to the correct office that handles such cases. The student alleges he filed a complaint in December 2017, Morehouse said the school didn’t receive one. The student then resubmitted the complaint in January 2018.
A lawsuit was filed in Fulton County Superior Court in Monday (Nov. 12)
The student said his grades suffered and he left the school in 2017. The student is reportedly seeking unidentified monetary and punitive damages. Documents filed say Peterson was placed on administrative leave and termination.
Peterson has “vehemently denied” the allegations.
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