FORT MYERS – A former police chief is suing theFlorida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees for gender discrimination and retaliation, claiming she was terminated for citing the university's failure to comply with federal laws and reports of sexual harassment.
Plaintiff Kelli Smith filed a lawsuit in the federal court against the FGCU Board of Trustees, citing allegations of gender discrimination and retaliation in violation of the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, and the Florida Civil Rights Act.
According to court documents, Smith was employed as FGCU's Chief of Police. Smith claims that while she was employed by the defendant, the university did not properly report crimes, especially those related to sexual assault and violence, creating a public safety threat for female students and employees. According to Smith, these actions are in violation of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, which is a federal law requiring colleges to report crimes on campus.
In her lawsuit, Smith claims she repeatedly expressed her concerns about the university's non-compliance as well as gender-based harassment to the university's leadership. Despite her efforts, Smith alleges she faced retaliation for raising her concerns, including being passed over for more favorable shifts, salary increases, harassment up to her termination on March 29, 2022. Smith believes her termination was a direct result of her advocacy for compliance and gender equality.
Smith is seeking judgment for various forms of relief, including compensation for lost wages, benefits, and emotional distress, along with attorney fees, court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. She is represented in this case by attorney Benjamin H. Yormak of Yorkmak Employment & Disability Law in Bonita Springs.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida case number 2:23-CV-00840-JES-KCD