Hofstra University is committed to being a diverse, inclusive community that promotes awareness and understanding. Part of that work is ensuring that all members of our community treat all people with respect. Recent events have challenged us all to reflect on how we are living up to those core values, and how we can do better.

However, a former employee has accused members of our Public Safety department of wrongful behavior and has posted varying false and defamatory accusations publicly.  At various points in the past year, he has accused members of the campus community of various actions and has continued to correspond in an aggressive and hostile manner with students, employees, and other members of the campus community.

This employee was terminated from the University in 2018 for multiple disciplinary infractions related to aggressive and volatile communications and behavior.  He filed a complaint based on disability discrimination and, after a full investigation by the state agency, the complaint was dismissed for lack of merit; the agency determined that there was no probable cause to believe that Hofstra engaged or is engaged in unlawful discriminatory employment practice related to the employee. The agency noted the employee’s provocative communications and history of complaints about him from students, co-workers and members of the public.  Most recently, this employee has turned his aggressive communications against student journalists at the Hofstra Chronicle, making reputational threats and similar false accusations of wrongful conduct.

These defamatory posts and emails are hurtful and damaging, and so we come forward in support of our students and employees. Hofstra University will continue our commitment to diversity, inclusiveness and understanding.