Student files sexual harassment lawsuit against professor and USC
Photo of Erick Guerrero from USC Dworak-Peck School of Social Work website.
A USC graduate student filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the University and associate professor Erick Guerrero, accusing the professor of sexual harassment and alleging that the University did not take stringent enough action against him.
The suit stated that 34-year-old graduate student Karissa Fenwick was sexually harassed by Guerrero on Jan. 12 in his hotel room at an academic conference in New Orleans. Guerrero was Fenwick’s dissertation advisor and has worked with her on various research projects.
The lawsuit also alleged that Guerrero had harassed another student, identified as Student X, beginning in 2011.
Guerrero filed a demurrer to the Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday denying all the allegations in the lawsuit. He also filed an answer to the complaint.
In the complaint, Fenwick alleged that Guerrero attempted to have sex with her at the conference in January.
“Guerrero put his hands on the sides of [Fenwick’s] arms as she walked past and guided her over to his bed, where he then sat her down and quickly leaned in for a kiss,” the lawsuit alleged.
The complaint said that after Fenwick refused his advances, Guerrero threatened her in order to keep her from telling anyone about the incident, saying that the dean would not take her side if she took the complaint to the administration.
Fenwick reported the alleged Jan. 12 incident to the USC Office of Equality and Diversity around Jan. 19, the suit said. The OED launched an investigation afterward.
Guerrero’s answer to the complaint claimed no one was ever on the bed. He said he believes the complaint was filed in retaliation after he suggested that Fenwick find another dissertation chair after the conference when they were both in a bar in New Orleans.
In the document, Guerrero stated that Fenwick “began to dance with Dr. Guerrero provocatively and displayed inappropriate engagement, backing up into him and trying to rub her buttocks on him.”
According to the complaint, Guerrero contested the case by submitting additional evidence to the OED and said he was sexualized by students at the Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. He claimed he was referred to as “the hot Latino professor.”
Martin Levine, vice provost and senior adviser to the provost, sent a letter to Guerrero on Sept. 7 announcing his suspension without pay for one semester beginning in Fall 2018.
“The Provost regards your offenses as sufficiently serious that he considered bringing charges leading to your dismissal,” Levine wrote. “If there is another charge of sexual harassment or retaliation, your dismissal will be reconsidered.”
The Daily Trojan obtained the letter from John Winer, Fenwick’s attorney. Guerrero confirmed this was the letter he received from the University on Sept. 7.
The letter to Guerrero also stated there were multiple offenses and that he “attempted to dissuade a complainant from reporting an incident.”
The document also added that Guerrero would be suspended from teaching doctoral students, serving on doctoral committees, holding leadership positions or receiving salary bonuses until the end of the 2019-20 academic year. On Wednesday, however, USC said in statement emailed to the Daily Trojan that Guerrero will no longer teach or supervise students starting this academic year.
“In accordance with our policies, a financial penalty was imposed, he was barred from leadership positions, his office was relocated away from students, and he will not teach classes or supervise students for the current academic year and beyond,” the statement said. “The University is reviewing the recent legal filings to determine if additional action is warranted.”
Fenwick said in an interview with the Daily Trojan that she decided to come forward publicly with her suit after realizing the University still allowed Guerrero to interact with and teach students — disciplinary action which she found insufficient.
“Based on the sanctions, the message that came from the top of the school is that if you’re [a faculty member], you’re allowed to sexually harass, threaten and then lie about students,” Fenwick said. “The University will acknowledge that those things happen, but they will still allow faculty to keep their jobs.”
Guerrero said in an email to the Daily Trojan that he has been responding to Fenwick’s allegations for nearly 10 months.
“It is sad to see that some people take advantage of a serious issue to continue their lives of white privilege,” Guerrero wrote. “I am here and I am not going anywhere.”
The complaint also stated that from 2011 to 2013, Guerrero made unwanted sexual advances and comments toward Student X, who wished to remain anonymous. In addition, it mentioned that the student reported the incident to a faculty member, but it was never investigated by USC.
“I was not aware of the extent of his harassing behavior toward the previous student,” Fenwick said. “There were just some rumors and open secrets … If I had specifically known what those things were, then I would not have made the choice [to work with him].”
Guerrero said he would have never put his position as a social worker in jeopardy, and that he will continue to contest the lawsuit.
“I have peace of mind that things will be cleared out after the facts are revealed,” Guerrero wrote. “I am living the American Dream and I am confident that this will end well for my family.”
Fenwick and her attorney will speak publicly on Thursday morning.
“We hope that Karissa coming forward will motivate other women to come forward,” Winer said in an email to the Daily Trojan. “USC seems to have a problem with sexual harassment.”
Statement from USC:
Statement from Erick Guerrero:
“It is sad to see that some people take advantage of a serious issue to continue their lives of White privilege.
Please note that I have been responding to these false allegations for almost ten months. I am here and I am not going anywhere. The allegations in the complaint are false and I have answered them in court this afternoon. I respect that the court process will be rigorous and fair for everyone. I have peace of mind that things will be cleared out after the facts are revealed.
I have been a social worker in a female dominated profession for 20 years and have committed my career to promote equity and empower vulnerable groups. I would never put myself in a compromising situation that can take away all the things I have worked so hard to accomplish. I am proud to be one of few Mexican-American Professors with tenure at a world class University. I married my dream partner, Emma who is also a USC professor and we are blessed now to have a six-month old baby girl. I am living the American Dream and I am confident that this will end well for my family.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: Some comments have been removed because they violate the Daily Trojan’s comment policy: https://dailytrojan.com/info/
I find it very interesting that the positive comments in support of the professor are being moved lower in the comments section. Biased article? interesting usc.
I am saddened by these claims against a professor that is very respected on our campus. Myself and many other students have always respected Dr. Erick Guerrero, and will continue to do so. He is a great professor, and these allegations are clearly being blown out of proportion. And btw, he is KNOWN around campus as the “hot latino professor.” No one actually knew that he knew about this though lol. So everyone needs to calm down, because you are ruining this man’s career. DON’T JUDGE and accuse him of things that the court will hopefully judge fairly! Its not easy to get a phd and keep up the publications that he does. Do not comment on here and bring down someone when nothings even been decided. Its all “he said, she said” at this point.
And p.s. in the court document it states that the girl accusing him of sexual harassment has had similar issues on other campuses…HMMMM??? coincidence? Hopefully his lawyers follow that lead, im sure things will come up on her.
I just heard that he referred to himself as the hot Latino professor and that he was irresistible to women. I just saw his picture. He is completely delusional!
Like others below I felt some sympathy for the guy until he decided to pull the “white privilege” card. Now, I hope you are collecting unemployment soon. I don’t care who is telling the truth at this point, you both seem like the typical liberal scum that a “school” like USC produces.
I was sympathizing with the professor (based on the innocent until proven guilty principle) until he pulled the “white privilege” card and lost all credibility.
“It is sad to see that some people take advantage of a serious issue to continue their lives of white privilege,” Guerrero wrote. “I am here and I am not going anywhere.”
-I really wish he wouldn’t have pulled the race card.