Trial Magazine

Veteran police officer William Ashford joined the University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn) Police Department. When a UM- Dearborn student was allegedly sexually assaulted by her instructor, a university police officer took the victim’s initial report, which claimed the instructor had forced the victim to perform a sex act on him in his UM-Dearborn office and then raised the victim’s grade. The interim chief told Ashford that pursuant to department practices, a victim’s statement would not be taken. The professor later resigned, allegedly admitting that he had engaged in sexual contact with the victim.

Several months later, Gary Gorski was appointed UM-Dearborn police chief and told Ashford that the case had been closed. This prompted Ashford to meet with UM-Dearborn human resources and report his observations about the alleged improper handling of the case. Nevertheless, UM-Dearborn allegedly took no further action regarding the incident.

Ashford sent an anonymous email to the UM-Dearborn Board of Regents, alleging there had been wrongdoing in the handling of the case and an effort to conceal the alleged wrongdoing. He also spoke with a news reporter about the matter.

Gorski later advised Ashford that he was the subject of an internal investigation. It was alleged that Ashford had violated UM-Dearborn Division of Police and Public Safety policy by making statements that were intended to have an adverse effect on department morale, discipline, operation, and public perception. Two months later, Ashford was suspended for 10 days without pay and told that further violations would result in escalating discipline.

Ashford sued University of Michigan, UM-Dearborn, Gorski, and a vice chancellor, alleging First Amendment retaliation, Title IX retaliation, and violation of the Michigan Whistleblower’s Protection Act.

The jury awarded more than $300,000.

Citation: Ashford v. Univ. of Mich., No. 2:20-CV-10561-TGB-EAS (E.D. Mich. May 21, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: Deborah L. Gordon and Elizabeth Marzotto Taylor, both of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.