Lincoln University wins discrimination case over former HR director
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A court decision on March 1 was ruled in favor of Lincoln University in a case where its former human resources director made discrimination claims.
The lawsuit alleged violations of the Missouri Human Rights Act.
In the lawsuit from 2019, Jim Marcantonio claimed former President Kevin Rome ordered him to hire young, Black employees, and did not give white administrators pay raises comparable to what their African-American counterparts received.
Marcantonio was employed from Oct. 2, 2008- Oct. 31, 2018, as the human resources director, according to the lawsuit. Marcantonio claimed the university also designated him as Title IX coordinator in 2009 and he received no additional compensation for serving in that capacity.
On Jan. 30, Marcantonio’s side submitted an offer of proof and rested his case. The defense presented its case in chief and rested and the jury was excused. LU’s counsel emailed a copy of its motion for directed verdict, according to court documents.
The court found that “insufficient evidence was adduced at the trial,” and LU’s motion for a directed verdict was sustained, according to court documents.
“Lincoln University is pleased with the outcome and remains committed to the best interests of its students, faculty, and staff,” a university spokesperson wrote in a Tuesday email.
