SHARE

Report: College Of New Rochelle Facing Second Wrongful Termination Lawsuit

The College of New Rochelle is facing a second lawsuit from a former employee claiming wrongful termination, according to a lohud report.

College of New Rochelle.

College of New Rochelle.

Photo Credit: Contributed

A second lawsuit was reportedly filed in Westchester County Court earlier this year by Veronie Lawrence, a former director for one of the school's campuses who is claiming that the college breached contract when she was among those fired last year as part of cost-cutting moves aimed at keeping the college open.

According to the report, Lawrence is seeking damages and severance pay from CNR.

The College was sued last month by the Senate, Council of Faculty and 14 former staff members who were laid off in June amid the financial probe at the school in a cost-cutting move.

The defendants listed in the suit include the college itself, CNR’s Board of Trustees and the school’s interim President Dorothy Escribano.

Last year, the school’s Board of Trustees launched an extensive investigation into financial misappropriations that revealed approximately $20 million in payroll taxes that were not paid for eight quarters dating back to 2014 under the watch of former CNR President Judith Huntington , who resigned amid the probe.

That discovery led to a crisis for CNR officials, who had to scramble to raise millions of dollars through their #WeAreCNR campaign. The school sold off assets and made agreements to help pay down millions of dollars in debt. In total, approximately 70 people lost their jobs at the college since last year, including 10 tenured faculty members.

According to the Board, layoffs were based on "the continued effectiveness of each area to serve our students was at the foundation of each reduction decision. Schedules and student enrollment in each school, student academic, wellness, extracurricular and financial support services, facilities needs, employee needs were all considered."

to follow Daily Voice Mamaroneck and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE