Conductor sues Berklee College of Music over probe he calls biased
According to the suit, Peyman Farzinpour was accused of violating the school’s relationship policy after a student alleged that the composer made unwelcome sexual advances.
BOSTON (AP) — A Providence conductor and composer has accused Berklee College of Music of overseeing a biased and flawed disciplinary process against him in a lawsuit.
Peyman Farzinpour accuses the Boston-based university of gender bias in firing him and says the school denied him access to a fair proceeding, the Providence Journal reported Tuesday.
According to the suit, Farzinpour was accused of violating the school’s relationship policy after a student alleged that the composer made unwelcome sexual advances.
Farzinpour said the student steered the conversation towards sex and suggested they get a hotel room.
He alleges the school conducted an investigation “through the lens of the student” and rejected his attempts to file a complaint of his own against the student or to appeal the decision to suspend him.
Farzinpour was later fired after signs were posted across campus implying that he and other professors were sexual predators.
Farzinpour is seeking unspecified damages for breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and other claims.
Berklee declined to comment on pending litigation.
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