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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Settled: Harassment suit against Texas A&M-Galveston

In July 2012, the Record reported on a suit brought by two employees of Texas A&M University-Galveston claiming they were subjected to harassment and abuse by an assistant department head.

That case has settled and been dismissed.

Plaintiffs Yvonne J. Fowler and Jaime Padgett filed suit against TAMUG and Dr. Frank Warnakulasuriya on July 2, 2012, in Galveston County District Court.

Two years later, court records show that the parties filed a joint motion to dismiss, which was granted on July 1, 2014.

The suit alleged Warnakulasuriya subjected Fowler to abusive behavior and physically attacked Padgett.

Warnakulasuriya is the former assistant department head for the maritime systems engineering department. Fowler worked as business coordinator II while Padgett was employed as business associate II.

The university investigated and determined that Warnakulasuriya engaged in a pattern of "demanding, demeaning, condescending and inappropriate" behavior, according to the original petition.

The plaintiffs stated they were moved to other parts of the school, but had difficulty in effectively performing their jobs.

Galveston County 122nd District Court Judge John Ellisor presided over the case.

Case No. 12-cv-1452

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