Apparently no end in sight to the self-immolation on Floyd Street.
- Thread starter BPGhost
- Start date
I was told that yesterday and remarked it was probably the best course of action. I can't read the CJ article either, but it was likely contractual. And with respect to the Gaudio cluster____ and what was involved with Dennison, I guess even clowns can learn from their mistakes...
“Cort Dennison was not fired for cause and he may not be quite finished with the University of Louisville.
U of L’s former co-defensive coordinator left the university last month through a separation agreement that will pay him a $400,000 severance package and requires him to cooperate in future litigation, presumably an anticipated lawsuit from Dennison’s former paramour, Christine Herring.
Herring, formerly the senior women’s administrator for U of L athletics, obtained a protective order against Dennison in October, claiming he was an “imminent threat to me, my family and himself” based on allegations of violent threats, physical abuse and stalking.
Dennison was granted a leave of absence in the middle of the football season following Herring’s court filings, and might have been dismissed “for cause” based on language in his contract that provides U of L recourse to fire him without payment if he brings “disgrace or embarrassment” to the university or “tends to shock, insult, or offend the greater Louisville and/or University alumni communities.”
Instead, Dennison's separation agreement, obtained through an open records request, will provide him with monthly payments through next August totaling $400,000 – to be mitigated by any football-related income he might receive from other sources – in lieu of the $450,000 salary he was due through January, 2024. Additionally, U of L has agreed to limit comment on Dennison's tenure to his dates of employment and positions held, except to prospective employers.
“My feeling is that they know there’s a potentially strong lawsuit coming from Miss Herring,” said attorney John Friend, who specializes in employment law. “And if they terminate this guy for cause it could harm their defense ...
“If I was in their risk management department, I would see her case as having a higher risk.”
U of L spokesman John Karman said the university could not comment on personnel matters.
“To my knowledge, it has no connection to any lawsuits of any type,” said Steve Romines, Dennison’s attorney.
Though Herring agreed to dismiss her case against Dennison “without prejudice,” after learning the Courier Journal was pursuing a story based on her affidavit, she now appears to be bracing for battle.
“I cannot permit my client to comment on impending legal action.” Herring’s attorney, Robyn Smith, told the Courier Journal.
Upon losing her job at U of L in 2020, ostensibly as a result of her affair with Dennison, Herring complained of receiving “disparate treatment on the basis of my gender,” in a letter to U of L President Neeli Bendapudi.
Upon losing her job at U of L in 2020, ostensibly as a result of her affair with Dennison, Herring complained of receiving “disparate treatment on the basis of my gender,” in a letter to U of L President Neeli Bendapudi.
Because she did not promptly pursue legal remedies, Herring allowed some federal statutes of limitations to expire. But employment discrimination claims are subject to a five-year statute of limitations under the Kentucky Civil Rights Act.
Though the University of Louisville Athletic Association has a policy that prohibits supervisors from romantic relationships with subordinates, Herring has argued that Dennison’s job was not subject to her supervision, control or influence.
In her letter to Bendapudi, Herring wrote that Tyra had told her the optics of her extramarital relationship were "problematic," and offered her the choice to resign or be terminated. Dennison, meanwhile, would sign a contract extension less than five months later.
Friend suspects sexism may help explain the financial differences between Herring’s exit and Dennison’s.
“I have never personally seen a workplace affair situation where the employer ultimately punished the man more than the woman.,” he said “That's been true no matter how much worse the man's conduct was. Women are just held to a higher standard. In that sense, this situation is just another day at the office.”
U of L’s former co-defensive coordinator left the university last month through a separation agreement that will pay him a $400,000 severance package and requires him to cooperate in future litigation, presumably an anticipated lawsuit from Dennison’s former paramour, Christine Herring.
Herring, formerly the senior women’s administrator for U of L athletics, obtained a protective order against Dennison in October, claiming he was an “imminent threat to me, my family and himself” based on allegations of violent threats, physical abuse and stalking.
Dennison was granted a leave of absence in the middle of the football season following Herring’s court filings, and might have been dismissed “for cause” based on language in his contract that provides U of L recourse to fire him without payment if he brings “disgrace or embarrassment” to the university or “tends to shock, insult, or offend the greater Louisville and/or University alumni communities.”
Instead, Dennison's separation agreement, obtained through an open records request, will provide him with monthly payments through next August totaling $400,000 – to be mitigated by any football-related income he might receive from other sources – in lieu of the $450,000 salary he was due through January, 2024. Additionally, U of L has agreed to limit comment on Dennison's tenure to his dates of employment and positions held, except to prospective employers.
“My feeling is that they know there’s a potentially strong lawsuit coming from Miss Herring,” said attorney John Friend, who specializes in employment law. “And if they terminate this guy for cause it could harm their defense ...
“If I was in their risk management department, I would see her case as having a higher risk.”
U of L spokesman John Karman said the university could not comment on personnel matters.
“To my knowledge, it has no connection to any lawsuits of any type,” said Steve Romines, Dennison’s attorney.
Though Herring agreed to dismiss her case against Dennison “without prejudice,” after learning the Courier Journal was pursuing a story based on her affidavit, she now appears to be bracing for battle.
“I cannot permit my client to comment on impending legal action.” Herring’s attorney, Robyn Smith, told the Courier Journal.
Upon losing her job at U of L in 2020, ostensibly as a result of her affair with Dennison, Herring complained of receiving “disparate treatment on the basis of my gender,” in a letter to U of L President Neeli Bendapudi.
Upon losing her job at U of L in 2020, ostensibly as a result of her affair with Dennison, Herring complained of receiving “disparate treatment on the basis of my gender,” in a letter to U of L President Neeli Bendapudi.
Because she did not promptly pursue legal remedies, Herring allowed some federal statutes of limitations to expire. But employment discrimination claims are subject to a five-year statute of limitations under the Kentucky Civil Rights Act.
Though the University of Louisville Athletic Association has a policy that prohibits supervisors from romantic relationships with subordinates, Herring has argued that Dennison’s job was not subject to her supervision, control or influence.
In her letter to Bendapudi, Herring wrote that Tyra had told her the optics of her extramarital relationship were "problematic," and offered her the choice to resign or be terminated. Dennison, meanwhile, would sign a contract extension less than five months later.
Friend suspects sexism may help explain the financial differences between Herring’s exit and Dennison’s.
“I have never personally seen a workplace affair situation where the employer ultimately punished the man more than the woman.,” he said “That's been true no matter how much worse the man's conduct was. Women are just held to a higher standard. In that sense, this situation is just another day at the office.”
