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A UC Irvine professor accused of being a seedy intercourse pest has claimed his accusers are simply upset at being ‘lackluster’ college students.
Bruce Blumberg, 70, was briefly suspended with pay throughout an investigation into allegations made in opposition to him by a girl in his biology lab.
She alleged Blumberg known as her ‘babe’ whereas they have been at a world convention in Spain, urged her to go to a intercourse store and advised her ‘I might offer you some meat’ whereas they have been discussing a charcuterie platter.
Blumberg denies any wrongdoing, and has since returned to the lab following the investigation.
Bruce Blumberg was briefly suspended with pay throughout an investigation into allegations made in opposition to him by a girl in his biology lab
UC Irvine officers have reportedly met with Blumberg on 4 events since 2010 concerning complaints or rumors
A spokesperson talking on behalf of Blumberg advised the Los Angeles Instances those that spoke out in opposition to him have been the ‘lackluster’ college students in his class.
‘A small subset of former lab members who have been disgruntled and unhappy with their lackluster achievements, as in contrast with different larger achievers, sought in charge their failures on a purported poisonous lab ambiance,’ the spokesperson stated.
‘Actually it was a demanding, but rewarding place to work.’
Blumberg has met with faculty officers 4 occasions since 2010 concerning complaints or rumors involving him.
The UCI report reveals he attended a ‘coverage compliance assembly’ in 2013 following allegations he’d launched into a consensual relationship with a postdoc scholar.
His spokesperson stated this was ‘unsubstantiated gossip.’
Moreover, the report famous that in 2019 he was the topic of a proper investigation after a scholar accused him of sexual harassment.
Blumberg denies any wrongdoing, and has since returned to the lab following the investigation
The report stated the investigation on the time discovered he didn’t violate faculty coverage. The allegations have been that he made sexual feedback towards an undergrad scholar and mentioned her Instagram posts along with her.
He allegedly was known as in for one more ‘coverage compliance assembly’ in 2022 to debate ‘language use.’
The most recent allegation facilities round a visit Blumberg and a scholar took to Spain in 2022.
The feminine complainant introduced her sister along with her on the journey, and each have been interviewed as a part of the investigation.
She allegedly described the journey as ‘an absolute nightmare’ and felt like she was bracing for Blumberg to ‘make a transfer’ whereas on the convention.
He argues he has at all times acted professionally, and denies making any inappropriate remarks towards the lady.
Whereas he was initially positioned on involuntary depart with pay in July 2023 amid the continuing investigation, that was overturned in September. And by December, he’d reached an settlement with the UCI
Whereas he was initially positioned on involuntary depart with pay in July 2023 amid the continuing investigation, that was overturned in September.
And by December, he’d reached an settlement with the UCI which is able to place him on a five-year probationary interval with extra office restrictions.
Blumberg accepted a three-month unpaid suspension in trade for the disciplinary prices in opposition to him being dropped.
He was additionally required to finish two hours of sexual harassment coaching and was prohibited from following his college students on social media, or discussing his private life with them.
As a part of the stipulations, he was advised he might not host highschool college students in his lab, nor might he drink alcohol at official features.
The varsity vowed to not pursue any subsequent complaints that relate to incidents which happened previous to the suspension as a part of the settlement, if the allegations are ‘the identical kind and diploma’ as these already made and investigated.
‘The aim of this remaining settlement is to totally and at last resolve the pending matter in opposition to Professor Blumberg,’ the settlement states.
He maintains that regardless of the settlement, he didn’t behave inappropriately towards the feminine complainant.