The Stacy Johnson-Klein vs. Fresno State lawsuit took shape this week as opening arguments and the testimony of university employees were presented before the jury of 11 women and one man.
University President John D. Welty took the stand on Wednesday and Thursday, defending the university̢۪s firing of former women̢۪s basketball head coach Johnson-Klein in March 2005.
Johnson-Klein̢۪s attorney, Warren Paboojian, questioned Welty regarding the university̢۪s alleged double standard in treating male and female coaches. Paboojian brought up the point that the university released a statement announcing Johnson-Klein̢۪s termination which detailed a university investigation that revealed Johnson-Klein took painkillers from a student and skimmed money from staff.
However, for the firing of men̢۪s basketball coach Ray Lopes there was no such press release even though Lopes admitted to more than 450 NCAA violations.
Paboojian also presented information regarding an incident when former Athletic Director Scott Johnson allegedly made sexual advances to Johnson-Klein at a carwash. Welty admitted to many problems during Johnson̢۪s career as athletic director at the university, eventually regretting hiring Johnson.
Fresno State initiated an investigation when Johnson-Klein threatened the university with Title IX complaints, Paboojian said.
Fresno State̢۪s attorney, Mick Marderosian, attacked Johnson-Klein and her alleged unorthodox behavior, which also included making her players pack and carry her bags when traveling.
Former Associate Athletic Director Dianne Milutinovich, who recently settled with Fresno State for $3.5 million, also testified on Tuesday and Wednesday.
During jury selection last week Milutinovich and Welty were just some of the names that both sides presented to the judge as witnesses. More than 170 names were on Fresno State̢۪s list, including current coaches Margie Wright and Pat Hill, and former basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian.
Former Fresno State basketball player and convicted murderer Terry Pettis, along with his coach, Lopes, are also expected to testify. In addition, former women̢۪s basketball player Chantella Perea is set to testify as the person Fresno State claims Johnson-Klein took painkillers from.
David Honeycutt • Jan 26, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Stacey is my niece and I’m very proud of her for standing up against an obvious liberal establisment. She’s worked very hard all her life getting to the statue that she had before this college administation decided to bring her down. She’s always been a very good person and cared as much for her duties as a coach as she did so as much as anything that I know of. 253-529-9398
David Honeycutt • Jan 27, 2008 at 12:04 am
Stacey is my niece and I’m very proud of her for standing up against an obvious liberal establisment. She’s worked very hard all her life getting to the statue that she had before this college administation decided to bring her down. She’s always been a very good person and cared as much for her duties as a coach as she did so as much as anything that I know of. 253-529-9398