Judge says fired Florida Gulf Coast U. forensics associate professor David Lounsbury should be reinstated
Naples Daily News
July 19, 2011
Fired two years ago for misappropriating student funds, Florida Gulf Coast University forensics associate professor David Lounsbury should be reinstated, a Lee County circuit judge has ruled.
However, Lounsbury will remain in limbo as FGCU continues to appeal the ruling.
Judge Sherra Winesett’s ruling, issued in a Friday hearing, confirmed an arbitrator’s May 2010 decision stating that Lounsbury should be reinstated and given back pay. A formal written order from Winesett had not been issued as of Monday afternoon, but minutes from the Friday hearing indicate simply that Winesett confirmed Lounsbury’s motion to enforce the arbitrator’s decision, and denied the university’s request to vacate the arbitrator’s ruling.
Lounsbury, 58, was fired from FGCU July 14, 2009, following eight months of investigations into two separate allegations.
Following a paid suspension for an initial sexual harassment claim, Lounsbury was eventually fired on the basis of a second allegation, of misappropriation of funds. An outside investigator determined Lounsbury was collecting checks from students for a certification exam and depositing them into a personal account — totalling $15,000 over several years.
