A fornmer Ohio State University College of Engineering student is suing the school and the director of the Center for Automotive Research alleging sexual and racial harassment and retaliation.
The suit accuses Giorgio Rizzoni of repeatedly attempting to engage her in unwanted sexual conduct while he was her adviser. When she did not comply, she says he retaliated by defaming her within the department and to her contacts in the private sector, revoked her supplemental stipend and manipulated her Ph.D. candidacy exam. The school put Rizzoni on leave while it investigated, but says it found no merit to the claims.
