A lawsuit against Slippery Rock University, the PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and one of the university's board members by one of its faculty members has been settled in mediation.

Amir Mohammadi, senior vice president for administration and economic development, sued the school, PASSHE and SRU trustee Robert Taylor for discriminatory actions by Taylor during a presidential search in which Mohammadi was a candidate.

Judge Cathy Bissoon signed over the case for mediation on May 7. Maria G. Anaher was assigned the role of mediator. On June 19, Bissoon signed off on a notice that the case was settled in mediation.

The lawsuit had alleged that despite Mohammadi being a front-runner candidate, Taylor bullied the committee into not selecting Mohammadi, who was born in Iran, as the university's 17th president, a position that was filled by William Behre.

The suit also alleged that Taylor leaked incorrect information to local newspapers — including the Butler Eagle and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — to explain his lack of support for Mohammadi during the selection process.

According to Mohammadi's lawsuit, he missed out on two presidential positions: the first at SRU due to discrimination and at Clarion University because of negative press about the failed first presidential search at SRU.

“As a result of Mr. Taylor's actions, Dr. Mohammadi suffered damages in that he was not appointed to the SRU presidency, and in that his professional reputation was harmed,” the suit said.

Representatives from Slippery Rock University and PASSHE said they would not comment on the matter. Neither Mohammadi nor Taylor could be reached for comment.