Looney, Duff, Gadkar-Wilcox, Slap Release Statement Following Sexual Assault Allegations Against Former CSCU Chancellor

HARTFORD — Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox (D-Bridgeport) and Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) released a statement about allegations against the former CSCU Chancellor John Maduko.

“We are extremely disturbed by the allegations that former CSCU Chancellor John Maduko persistently sexually harassed a female employee under his supervision. And even more disconcerting is the claim that the harassment carried on for years without any clear response or strong action by the CSCU Board of Regents or by Human Resources.

“A culture of permissiveness and lack of action is exactly what leads to hostile work environments – often for women – and further enables escalated acts of violence to go unaccounted for as well. Title IX was enacted specifically to ensure that educational institutions investigate and act upon claims of discrimination and sexual harassment. And in accordance with these legal mandates, we demand a statement from the CSCU Board of Regents that details their response to this allegation and the origin of the claim years ago.

“Finally, we are outraged by the alleged statement reported by CT Insider that Board Chair Marty Guay stated that he once fired a woman because she reported sexual harassment. We demand an explanation of this statement, which on its face is unlawful and unacceptable.

“While we appreciate that Dr. Maduko has resigned, we believe that this action is insufficient to address the alleged misconduct involved and especially the inaction by Board Chair Guay and General Counsel Karen Buffkin in response to these persistent allegations.

“In the legislature, we have taken action to support the rights of individuals to be free from sexual exploitation, including two bills addressing human trafficking, and explicitly recognizing victims of sexual assault as a protected class. We cannot tolerate the kind of conduct that is alleged in these reports. We demand better, and are not willing to allow a culture of silence and inaction to outweigh the rights of every employee to a harassment free work environment and to equal protection of our laws.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193