Renowned UC Berkeley philosophy professor emeritus accused of sex assault

[oberliner]

Source: Daily Californian

UC Berkeley alumna Joanna Ong filed a lawsuit against campus professor emeritus of philosophy John Searle and the UC Board of Regents on Tuesday, alleging that Searle sexually assaulted her and and continued to harass her while she was employed under him.

Ong started working with Searle in July 2016 as a research assistant. According to the complaint, Searle allegedly sexually assaulted Ong on July 22, 2016, and continued to harass her afterward, creating a “hostile work environment.”

The complaint, first reported by BuzzFeed News, alleged that Searle offered Ong $3,000 a month for living expenses in addition to her $1,000-a-month salary. Searle is listed on the campus website as teaching Philosophy 132: Philosophy of the Mind this semester, but he abruptly stepped down from his position in March. He had been teaching at UC Berkeley for nearly 60 years.

Searle declined to comment on the allegations.

Read more: http://www.dailycal.org/2017/03/23/renowned-uc-berkeley-philosophy-professor-emeritus-accused-sex-assault/

[Jim__]

1. Searle is 84 years old.

You'd think he'd be past the age where sexual assault would be an issue.

[olddad56]

2. he will be charged with 'assault with a dead weapon'.

[CTyankee]

3. Sexual assault can take many forms. Having his hands on her against her will can be sexual

assault.

[mainer]

4. Maybe some dementia involved?

And he's lost his judgment about what's appropriate.

[lunatica]

5. He's teaching this semester

Or was until this month when he abruptly stepped down.