Former governor files defamation suit after VCU officials investigate alleged ‘threatening conduct’

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Former Virginia governor Douglas Wilder is suing Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) president Michael Rao and one other VCU employee after they investigated claims that Wilder was contributing to a hostile work environment within the university's Wilder School.

As first reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, on Friday, Aug. 1, Wilder filed a federal lawsuit against Rao and Suzanne Milton, VCU's chief audit and compliance executive.

According to court documents obtained by 8News, he is suing to "challeng[e] malicious, unsubstantiated and retaliatory acts orchestrated by [Rao] and [Milton] under the guise of institutional compliance."

Wilder is both a VCU professor and the namesake of the university's Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. The lawsuit claims that, in March, Rao and Milton began investigating claims of a hostile work environment at the Wilder School -- including alleged "threatening conduct, abuse and misuse of university resources" on Wilder's part.

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Milton reportedly sent Wilder multiple emails between June 12 and June 19 regarding this investigation, explaining its context and asking Wilder to interview with attorneys. According to the lawsuit, he responded by asking for more information on the investigation, a copy of the complaint and for Milton to define a "hostile work environment."

Wilder was told the allegations included claims of a threatening environment at the Wilder School, as well as "an abusive relationship with Dean Susan Gooden." Wilder himself was accused of threatening colleagues and misusing university personnel.

"Milton refused to provide the complaint or identify the complainants," the lawsuit states. "Wilder reiterated his concerns regarding transparency, procedural fairness and the chilling effects of initiating an investigation on anonymous, unsubstantiated claims."

Additionally, Wilder "reminded" Milton of his "prior federal complaint against VCU, which resulted in settlement," per the lawsuit. This settlement reportedly included "non-retaliatory conditions" -- which are reportedly relevant because Wilder believes these "hostile and defamatory investigatory actions" are in response to that previous complaint.

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According to Wilder, Milton told him she could not provide the details he requested because of privacy concerns. The lawsuit alleges that Milton refused to give him these details because Rao told her to withhold them, not because of any privacy concerns.

Wilder ultimately did attend an interview. However, he said in the lawsuit that he has not received any updates on the investigation since then.

"In addition to the investigation, President Michael Rao has actively maligned my character to members of the VCU Board of Visitors, to high-ranking VCU officials and others," Wilder wrote in a declaration attached to the lawsuit.

He goes on to accuse Rao of telling these people not to interact with him in a "calculated" attempt to both isolate and undermine him.

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"President Rao's actions have not only undermined my ability to engage with the very institution that bears my name, but reflect abuse of his position and a disregard for academic freedom and respect," Wilder wrote.

Rao and Milton face four charges: First Amendment retaliation, denial of procedural due process, defamation and retaliation under Title VI and VII.

Wilder is asking for a formal judgment, as well as both compensatory and punitive damages "in an amount to be determined," according to court documents. He also wants a judge to order VCU to "retract any defamatory findings and restore [his] standing."