School investigation finds ex-Wayne State professor Lessenberry had history of sexual harassment

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An independent investigation brought new allegations to light alleged sexual harassment at Wayne State University.

Long-time journalism professor Jack Lessenberry quietly resigned last month amid the allegations. Weeks earlier he resigned from his position at The Metro Times.

An independent counsel hired by Wayne State University finalized its report this week obtained by FOX 2. The report describes Lessenberry's alleged inappropriate behavior dating back many years from several former female students interviewed in the course of the investigation.

Evelyn Aschenbrenner is a former student now living in Poland. She was one of the reporters who first investigated Lessenberry in a piece for Deadline Detroit, along with Peg McNichol.

"He was my internship supervisor while I was at Wayne State," Aschenbrenner said. "He writes for The Metro Times. "He presents himself as very ... like a guy fighting for progressive values. And here he is getting mad that some 18-year-old student didn't want him touching her shoulder." 

>>Read the full report at bottom.

This is an email Lessenberry allegedly sent to one of his students:

The report says Lessenberry would have his favorite female students visit his office under the guise of talking about their work - only to end up commenting on their physical attributes.

"Student A" says Lessenberry sent gifts and cards to her house and tried to kiss her.

"Student B" says she had an on-going relationship with Lessenberry that consisted of numerous passionate kissing sessions over several months. She says when she wanted to end things, Lessenberry threatened to fail her.

"Student D" said Lessenberry created a hypothetical situation describing themselves as breeding and creating beautiful babies.

According to the report many of the women described that once they rebuffed Lessenberry's advances not only did the favoritism stop, he gave them lower grades and bad mouthed them to fellow faculty members and professionals in the journalism community.

Lessenberry did not return FOX 2's phone call and Wayne State University declined to speak on camera, choosing to issue a statement instead

"Ms. Mahoney has done a very thorough investigation. Mr. Lessenberry was given the opportunity to participate and chose not to do so. Based upon Ms. Mahoney's factual findings, she reached the conclusion that Mr. Lessenberry's actions violated Wayne State University's non-discrimination and sexual harassment policies. Wayne State accepts her findings."

Since resigning from his positions at Metro Times, Michigan Radio and Wayne State, Lessenberry has started hosting a radio show on 910 AM Superstation.
 

WSU Jack Lessenberry Investigation Final Report 7.17.18 Title IX by David Komer on Scribd