USF researcher who quit sues female accuser

Michael Mullan claims that a woman accusing him of sexual harassment subjected him to ridicule.

By ANITA KUMAR, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 26, 2003

TAMPA -- The former head of a nationally recognized Alzheimer's research center at the University of South Florida filed a lawsuit Monday against one of the women accusing him of sexual harassment.

Michael Mullan, who resigned from USF last month as the school concluded an investigation into harassment allegations, accused Karen Gosche of defaming him in a newspaper report last week about the inquiry.

Gosche, 43, a former graduate student, worked for Mullan from 1996 to 1997 at the Roskamp Institute, which is trying to develop a cure for Alzheimer's.

"He's suing me? I'm shocked," said Gosche, who graduated and left USF in 2000. "This is nothing more, nothing less than Michael Mullan now being held accountable for his behavior."

USF's investigation into the harassment allegations of three women, including Gosche, concluded last month. The report outlining the allegations remains closed to allow Mullan to appeal. USF officials refused to comment.

After news broke about Mullan's resignation, the Tampa Tribune published a story Friday that anonymously quoted one of the women as saying, "He has damaged a lot of people."

Gosche said Tuesday that she said that.

Mullan, 46, and his attorney, Steven Wenzel of Tampa, declined to comment. Last week, Mullan said his resignation had nothing to do with the investigation, which he said exonerated him.

The lawsuit, filed in Hillsborough Circuit Court, states that Mullan has been "subjected to criticism and ridicule."

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