Pocono News Section

East Stroudsburg University Accused In Sex-Crimes Cover-up

East Stroudsburg University Accused In Sex-Crimes Cover-up - Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 12:49PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 @ 12:49am EST

EAST STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY- In exchange for scholarships and dinners, Dr. Isaac Sanders made sexual advances on students, according to a lawsuit filed Friday against the ex-professor and school administrator. Five former students and a current student are identified by initials only in the 40-page document. It is asking the court for damages in excess of $50 thousand.

Sanders began working for the school in 2000. Beginning in 2003, the lawsuit claims Sanders groped and molested students and then muzzled them. The university, its board of trustees, president and two top-tier administrators are also named in the suit. The plaintiffs allege school leaders destroyed evidence during the course of three internal investigations commenced after Sander's supposed behavior was brought to the attention of university staffers. Reached by phone Friday evening, a spokesman for the school said he couldn't comment on pending litigation. Efforts to reach Sanders were unsuccessful. Court papers claim other evidence reporting the supposed behavior was kept from university investigators, hidden by Sanders.

The lawsuit suggests Sanders targeted African-American male students. It alleges he paid bills and secured scholarships in exchange for sexual favors. Attorneys representing the six plaintiffs only commented to say the lawsuit speaks for itself.

Sanders' employment at the state-run university was terminated for unknown reasons in October, according to court papers. He previously faced allegations of financial misconduct. An internal university audit turned up nothing.

Attorneys suing the school said the Monroe County District Attorney has the contents of the lawsuit. Efforts to reach R. David Christine were not successful.