KY State University Employees File Lawsuit

A fired employee and a demoted employee at Kentucky State University have filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against President Raymond Burse.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports Teferi Tsegaye and Maifan Silitonga claim they were retaliated against for refusing to participate in discriminatory conduct at the historically black school.

The lawsuit claims Burse, who is black, was displeased that a white woman was hired as communications manager in 2014 and blamed Tsegaye.

It also says Burse instructed Tsegaye and Silitonga to fire the director of a university-run child care center in March 2015 because Burse said the white woman did not represent the university.

Tsegaye and Silitonga questioned Burse, and soon after Tsegaye was demoted and Silitonga was fired.

A university spokeswoman declined to comment to the newspaper about the lawsuit.