Benitez charges he was terminated unjustly after he supported a student's claim of racial harassment.
Del Mar's regents take no action on suit
September 15, 2006
Del Mar College regents met but took no action Thursday regarding a lawsuit against the college that is set to go to trial next week.
The trial, involving the college and former professor Albert Benitez, will begin Monday in federal court with Chief Judge Hayden W. Head Jr. presiding. Benitez charges he was terminated unjustly after he supported a student's claim of racial harassment.
Last week Head dismissed individual lawsuits against several Del Mar officials in the case.
Israel Saenz
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udge dismisses rights claim against Del Mar officials
Former instructor's other issues to be tried Sept. 18
By Israel Saenz Caller-Times
September 8, 2006
U.S. District Judge Hayden Head Jr. on Thursday dismissed former Del Mar College instructor Albert Benitez's claims of civil rights violations against six of the college's current and former officials in a pre-trial hearing.
Benitez's breach of contract and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act claim against the college, however, will go to trial Sept. 18.
Benitez, a former criminal justice instructor at Del Mar, says school officials fired him in January 2005 after he sought due process for student Melody Lopez's claims of racial harassment by a college employee. He filed the suit last September.
Head dismissed claims against Del Mar College President Carlos Garcia;, Board of Regents President Gabriel Rivas;, Vice President of Student Development Jose Rivera;, Vice President of Instruction Rosie Garcia; Legal Professions Department chair Stonewall Van Wie; and former Dean of Business Ann Matula.
Houston attorney Lee Solomon, representing Benitez, would not comment on the motions Thursday.
Del Mar College attorney Augustin Rivera Jr. said some of the plaintiffs' claims against the college also were dismissed, although he did not specify which ones.
Contact Israel Saenz at 886-3767
http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_4977693,00.html
1 comment:
Unconfirmed information on the Benitez case has indicated that a settlement between DMC and Mr Benitez has been reached.
Various amounts from $3 million to $1000 are rumored.
More as the facts are uncovered.
Any settlement is demonstrative that the College acted with Malice. It also places the credibility in question of all the liars at DMC. If this is true; we must now go back and approach Adriana Garza of the Caller Times and demand retractions and apologies.
They were using you Adriana.
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