USF says researcher harassed student

An internal report says the leader of Roskamp Institute pursued employees and harassed a graduate student.

By ANITA KUMAR, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 11, 2003

TAMPA -- The head of a prestigious Alzheimer's research institute at the University of South Florida sexually harassed a graduate student and created an unprofessional work environment by pursuing relationships with other female employees, the school says.

An internal USF investigation determined that Michael Mullan's actions violated university policy. Mullan, 46, resigned in late January at the conclusion of a yearlong inquiry into several allegations of harassment.

Robert Daugherty, dean of USF's College of Medicine, said he would have fired Mullan, or at least taken away his supervisory duties at the Roskamp Institute, if he had not left.

"That's unacceptable, unprofessional behavior," he said.

An internal USF report made public Monday shows that at least four women in their 20s and 30s -- all of them working for Mullan -- told investigators he tried to seduce them or flirt with them. All the incidents allegedly happened between 1997 and 2001.

It's unclear exactly how many women complained because some would not come forward or cooperate with investigators, officials said. The inquiry focused on three women, and found evidence that Mullan harassed one of them.

"It's clear many women are afraid to come forward," Daugherty said. "They fear nothing would be done, or they would be retaliated against."

Mullan, who is married, denies the accusations. He said the report is full of "innuendo, hearsay and make-believe."

"I categorically deny sexually harassing or gender discriminating against anyone," Mullan said. "It's false."

The USF report concludes that evidence exists to show that women Mullan pursues may receive favorable treatment during their relationship and negative treatment afterward. It also says he treated male and female employees in harsh and demeaning ways in front of colleagues, referred to himself as "captain of the ship" and often talked about being at "war" with USF.

One woman, then 21, told investigators that she developed a consensual relationship with Mullan at an out-of-town conference. He refuted her concerns about getting involved with her married supervisor.

The same woman said that after their sexual relationship ended, Mullan told her: "It took me one call to get you into medical school; it will take me one call make sure you never get it," according to the report.

A woman who refused his advances said he told her: "You can forget about your Ph.D., baby," according to the report.

Mullan resigned from the USF faculty in January, saying he would take the school's largest Alzheimer's research center with him, along with millions of dollars and dozens of scientists. He earned $207,402 annually.

Mullan has since sued one of his accusers for defamation, and insisted that his resignation had nothing to do with the inquiry.

The USF equal opportunity office concluded its investigation in January. Mullan appealed to Provost David Stamps, who upheld the original determination last week. USF officials said the law prevents them from talking about specific harassment allegations.

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