 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
USF bias suits in mediationBy Times staff writer© St. Petersburg Times published May 21, 2002 TAMPA -- The lawyers involved in the University of South Florida's discrimination lawsuits have entered into mediation to help solve the cases filed by current and former players and a former coach from the women's basketball team. The mediation efforts postponed the trial of one of the players that was scheduled to begin Monday. Attorney Jonathan Alpert, co-counsel for the plaintiffs, said he could not comment about any settlement talks. A spokesman for USF said the sides were in mediation, but he had not heard of any settlement agreement. Dione Smith, a former player, has filed one of 12 related suits against USF and former coach Jerry Ann Winters that claim racial discrimination in the women's basketball program in the 1990s and early 2000s. The suits state that Winters subjected black players to harsher treatment than white players. The players claim they were retaliated against when they complained, sometimes by being kicked off the team. The university and Winters have denied the allegations. None of the cases has gone to trial.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times |
