News Summary
Kevin Granger, the VP of athletics at Texas Southern University, is facing serious allegations of sexual assault from a staff member. A lawsuit, filed in Harris County, details claims of inappropriate behavior, including vulgar comments and unwanted physical contact. TSU has placed Granger on administrative leave and is conducting a thorough investigation. The university’s response emphasizes the importance of community safety and addressing misconduct in the workplace, while the broader implications of the allegations raise concerns about power dynamics and workplace safety.
Houston, Texas – Kevin Granger, the vice president of intercollegiate athletics at Texas Southern University (TSU), is facing serious allegations of sexual assault brought forth by a university staff member. The lawsuit was filed by the Buzbee Law Firm on September 17, 2018, in the 157th state District Court of Harris County, revealing disturbing claims regarding Granger’s behavior towards the female employee.
According to the legal documents, Granger is accused of making vulgar comments and inappropriately touching the staff member over a period of more than a month. The lawsuit details specific incidents where Granger allegedly invited the woman into his office, where he engaged in unwanted physical contact, including groping her breasts and genitals. Additionally, he reportedly asked her explicit questions about her sex life, making inappropriate requests that included a demand to see her genitals and perform oral sex on him.
The female staff member has expressed her desire to remain anonymous and has also filed a police report detailing her allegations. In the suit, it is claimed that Granger misused his position of authority to exploit the woman, stating he could support her career if she complied with his advances. After resisting his propositions, the employee reportedly managed to leave his office.
In light of the accusations, Texas Southern University has placed Granger on administrative leave. The university issued a statement acknowledging the gravitas of the allegations while clarifying that it is not a party to the litigation. However, TSU emphasized its commitment to a thorough review of the situation and underscored its priority of ensuring the safety of its community members.
Reports of Granger’s alleged misconduct have also been submitted to the Houston Police Department, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and TSU’s Human Resources department. The university has initiated an independent investigation into the matter, taking all claims of misconduct seriously.
Details of the Allegations
The lawsuit delineates a pattern of behavior that the complainant describes as a month-long campaign of sexual harassment. Granger allegedly used the closeness of their work environment to make unwanted advances, creating a climate of unease and discomfort for the victim. The legal filing details specific instances where Granger not only made advances but crossed physical boundaries in a manner that has raised serious concerns regarding workplace conduct.
Background on Kevin Granger
Kevin Granger has been affiliated with Texas Southern University for nearly 32 years, taking on various roles as a student athlete, coach, and administrator. His long-standing tenure at TSU has raised questions about how such serious allegations could arise and the university’s protocols for managing faculty-staff relationships and ensuring a safe work environment.
As of September 19, 2018, Granger had not issued a response to the allegations, and attempts to contact him for comment were unsuccessful. The unfolding investigation is anticipated to scrutinize not only Granger’s actions but also the university’s processes in handling allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace.
The impact of these allegations will likely be felt beyond the immediate parties involved, as they raise broader questions about workplace safety, issues of power dynamics in professional settings, and the measures universities take to support victims of harassment and assault.
As TSU moves forward with its independent investigation, the university community awaits clarity on how this situation will be resolved and what steps will be put in place to prevent future occurrences of similar misconduct.
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Additional Resources
- FOX26 Houston: TSU Athletic Director on Administrative Leave Amid Allegations
- Houston Chronicle: TSU Athletic Director Lawsuit
- Sports Illustrated: TSU Athletic Director Faces Lawsuit
- Hoodline: Kevin Granger on Leave Amid Allegations
- Sports Illustrated: Update on Allegation Details Against TSU AD
- Wikipedia: Sexual Harassment
- Google Search: Texas Southern University Athletic Director
- Google Scholar: Sexual Assault Lawsuit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual Assault
- Google News: Kevin Granger TSU
