Baylor University Reaches Confidential Settlement in Title IX Sexual Assault Case

Last week, Baylor University and an alleged victim of a gang rape by then-Baylor University football players announced that they had reached a confidential settlement in a Title IX lawsuit the woman filed in January. The victim, referred to in court documents as Elizabeth Doe, alleged that she was raped by Baylor football players Tre’Von Armstead and Myke Chatman in April 2013 after an off-campus party. Both men are currently awaiting trial on criminal charges arising from the incident. Elizabeth Doe’s lawsuit is the fourth Title IX lawsuit Baylor has resolved related to its sexual assault scandal. In July, Baylor announced that it had reached a settlement with another former student who alleged that she was assaulted in 2015. Baylor has also reached settlements with at least three other alleged victims of sexual assault who did not file lawsuits. Each of the pending lawsuits includes claims that the school’s discriminatory policies and inadequate response to allegations of sexual assault created a heightened risk that students would be sexually assaulted.

The recent settlement comes one month after a federal judge ordered Baylor to produce documents including phone records and interview notes from Pepper Hamilton, LLP’s investigation of the school’s response to sexual assault allegations. Pepper Hamilton attorneys concluded that Baylor mishandled allegations of sexual assault that were made against football players and other students. Baylor claimed that the documents were protected from disclosure by the attorney-client privilege. However, the judge ruled that Baylor waived that privilege when it released certain details from its investigation.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of sexual assault, the experienced lawyers at the law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner can assist with your claim. Call us today at (713) 222-7211 or 713-222-7211 for your free consultation.