LYNCHBURG, Va. — Former Liberty University employee Erika Woolfolk has filed a lawsuit against the school alleging she was wrongfully terminated for cooperating with a U.S. Department of Education investigation into the university’s handling of sexual assault claims. The suit, filed in a federal court, alleges Woolfolk was subjected to discrimination and a hostile work environment during her tenure as an investigator in the university’s Title IX office.
Overview of the Lawsuit Against Liberty University
Woolfolk, a graduate of Liberty University, outlined in her 39-page lawsuit that her termination was partly due to her cooperation with an investigation of the school by the U.S. Department of Education. She accuses her supervisors of predetermining the outcomes of sexual assault investigations, thus undermining the integrity of the Title IX process, reports WSET.
Furthermore, she alleges she was paid less than her less-qualified white colleagues, required to work more, and denied promotions.
This lawsuit marks the second time this year where a former employee has accused Liberty University of retaliatory dismissal following reports of improper handling of sexual assault cases. In March, Peter Brake filed a similar lawsuit, which Woolfolk references in her own claims. Both lawsuits also name Ashley Reich, a former top administrator overseeing the Title IX office, as a defendant.
In 2022, yet another employee sued the school for allegedly firing him in retaliation for being a whistleblower. Former Dean John Markley said that for four years he repeatedly made good faith reports to Liberty leadership and law enforcement of the school’s state and federal law violations, only to be terminated.
In response, Liberty University issued a statement to USA TODAY, denying Woolfolk’s allegations and attributing her termination to “legitimate business reasons” related to improving the university’s Title IX services. The university refrained from commenting on the specifics of the lawsuit but strongly disagreed with the claims made by Woolfolk.
School Has Long History of Title IX, Clery Act Violations
Liberty University is no stranger to controversy regarding its handling of sexual assault cases. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Education fined the institution $14 million for violations of the federal Clery Act, citing numerous failures in dealing with sexual assault allegations. As part of a settlement, the university also committed $2 million to enhance on-campus safety measures.
