TALLAHASSEE - Andrine Stanhope filed a complaint on September 2 in Leon County Circuit Court against Florida A&M University for public whistleblower retaliation.
According to the complaint, Stanhope began her employment with A&M in 2016 and held the position of Associate in Land Grant Program Service at the time of her wrongful demotion on Sept. 30, 2020.
Stanhope alleges that the retaliation came from, but was not limited to, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences Robert W. Taylor, who allegedly told Stanhope that short-term funding was available for an OPS position, for which she started training.
The suit says in August 2017, he told her that he was preparing to advertise the position though it was undecided how they wanted to do so. Stanhope had made it known to the Dean that she planned to apply, but that she had no interest in applying for a full-time communications position as he had discussed it may be advertised because that was not her area of education or expertise, the suit says.
Taylor ultimately decided that the position would be advertised as the Associate in Land Grant Program Service and the communications part of the position included acting as the college's liaison with FAMU's Office of Communications. In August 2019, Taylor said that position may be upgraded and would include academic responsibilities and more.
The coordinator for CAFS who was also responsible for human relations discussed Stanhope's possible raise with other staff and faculty, causing Stanhope to bring it to the attention of Taylor, the suit says.
When nothing was done about the issue, Stanhope brought it to the attention of the Provost, who then had an issue with Stanhope's salary being funded 50% by Extension Federal Funding and 50% by Research Federal Funding, the suit says. Stanhope was then made to do more academic and research activities. After the closing of the school due to the pandemic and since June 4, 2020, Stanhope alleges that she stopped getting work from Taylor.
On Jan. 19, 2021, she then was locked out of her office that she had been using since 2016.
Stanhope seeks judgment for injuries, past and future wages lost, loss of benefits, injunctive relief, cost of suit and attorney's fees. Stanhope is represented by Marie A. Mattox.
Circuit Court of the Second Judicial Circuit in and for Leon County filing number 133984282