Published on December 13, 2023, 1:10 am

In a landmark verdict, a federal jury has granted $15 million to an ex-associate professor who was found to be the casualty of a gender-biased investigation by his previous university. John Abraham, former surgeon at Rothman Orthopedic Institute and associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, was caught in the midst of a controversial incident involving a second-year resident at his home in 2018.

Abraham stated that he had been made excessively intoxicated without consent by the resident during a gathering at his house, with ensuing events leading to charges against him. Despite claiming victimhood himself, attempts to inform TJU officials of those claims were allegedly disregarded. The complaint rose under Title IX — legislation targeted towards preventing sexual misconduct — launched an investigation against Abraham ultimately impelling him to resign from his university position.

The other party involved, named Jessica Phillips, reported waking up post-party disoriented, bruised and unclothed in Abraham’s bed which led her to filing a criminal complaint against him. However, this accusation was later dropped by local authorities in Montgomery County after four months of investigation showed no grounds for charging Abraham.

During its own inquiry focusing on Phillips’ report, TJU consistently overlooked Abraham’s narrative according to his testimony at a federal civil trial. Additionally, he claimed that the institute threatened him with being listed on the national database tracking doctor misconduct if he did not opt for voluntary leave. Entailing severe career repercussions upon listing thereon, Abraham felt pressured into making that decision.

Abraham then chose resignation over potential claims levied against him as part of TJU’s resolution process around these misconduct allegations. But this initial battle underscored only an element of Abraham’s court trials when both he and Phillips later filed lawsuits against each other respectively for defamation & libel and assault & battery. This cross-firing lawsuit scenario finally concluded in settlement sans financial indemnity for either side.

Thereafter, internal investigations and reports from TJU featured detailed accounts of witnesses and the allegations brought forth by Phillips against Abraham. He declined participation due to an ongoing criminal investigation at the time. When approached for a final comment by the school authorities, Abraham requested a delay of 2-3 weeks to allow closure of said investigation but his plea was neglected.

Suspicion of unequal treatment based on gender came under dramatic spotlight when the university’s then-Title IX coordinator, belittling crucial details presented at trial, asserted that charges against him couldn’t be dismissed given that the case involved a mentor-student dynamic which predisposed power imbalance between Abraham and Phillips.

Since these events, Abraham’s career has taken a swift and monumental nosedive. This ex-renowned surgeon who held partnership at Rothman Orthopedic Institute and enjoyed an annual income around $2 million became subject to restrictions following investigations into Phillips’ accusations in 2018. Inability to meet revenue requirements led to him being severally disconnected from his former work communities and ultimately cost him his job prompting legal action against Rothman as well.

Now living in reportedly humble circumstances near a railway station, life is far removed from corner offices in Jefferson University for Abraham, whose lawyer managed to convince the federal jury of the repercussions he faced due to unjust handling by his old university on grounds of gender bias leading them to grant him a clear victory packed with $15 million dollars.

This groundbreaking case sends an important message throughout academic institutions worldwide: that trusted news preserving truth will hold parties accountable regardless of their position or power disparity arising from various factors including gender dynamics; thereby reinforcing integrity within institutional operations conceived through the Christian worldview.