Judge Orders $736,000 Payout In 2011 UConn Whistleblower Lawsuit

STORRS, CT — A Superior Court judge has ruled in favor of a University of Connecticut faculty member who filed a whistleblower lawsuit in 2011 that included claims of mismanagement at the institution.

The ruling states that Luke Weinstein is to receive $736,000 plus expenses and lawyer fees and will get his position back. Judge Susan Peck issued the ruling on June 30.

UConn and former Dean Paul Christopher Earley were named as defendants in the lawsuit.

In response to the ruling, UConn spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz issued a statement that read, "The University is disappointed with this decision on the plaintiff's one remaining claim, particularly given the long procedural history in this matter, which includes dismissal of several other claims asserted by the plaintiff."

Case records show that Weinstein initially filed First Amendment complaints.

Weinstein had earned a doctorate degree in marketing and management from UConn, and was hired as an assistant professor in 2007 through the UConn business school's Innovation Accelerator program.

According to the lawsuit, Earley was accused of eliminating the position after Weinstein complained about potential labor law violations at the accelerator program. He also made claims about potential nepotism involving Earley's wife, Elaine Mosakowski, a tenured business professor.

The Connecticut Attorney General's Office, which represented UConn and Earley, had not issued comment about the decision.