Dr. Brian R. Calfano, a former tenured professor and department head at the University of Cincinnati, has filed a lawsuit against the university and several of its administrators, alleging retaliation for exercising his First Amendment rights. The complaint was filed on February 23, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio by Dr. Calfano against the University of Cincinnati and multiple individual defendants.
The case stems from a series of events that began when Dr. Calfano objected to an unauthorized race-based hiring policy at the university and supported a female colleague who reported sexist conduct by another faculty member. According to the complaint, these actions led to a campaign of retaliation against him orchestrated by university officials. Dr. Calfano alleges that his career was systematically destroyed through two investigations initiated by the university: one based on pretextual allegations related to classroom complaints and financial issues, and another under Title IX for sexual harassment—despite no formal complaints being filed against him.
Dr. Calfano’s ordeal began when he appointed Meghan Goth as faculty advisor to the student newspaper, The News Record. Her appointment was blocked due to an unannounced “DEI” hiring process that favored racial minorities, despite Goth’s qualifications. When Dr. Calfano objected to this policy as unauthorized and discriminatory, he faced resistance from Associate Dean Littisha Bates and others in the administration.
Further complicating matters, Goth reported sexist remarks made by faculty member Bob Jonason, but her complaints were ignored while retaliatory measures were taken against Dr. Calfano instead. These included launching investigations that resulted in his removal as department head and severe personal consequences such as weight loss, mental health deterioration, and ultimately resignation.
In response to these actions, Dr. Calfano is seeking damages for career destruction, expungement of investigation records from his personnel file, a permanent injunction against further disclosure of allegations or investigative materials, and a declaration that his rights were violated under both constitutional law and Title IX provisions.
The attorneys representing Dr. Calfano are Shams H. Hirji, Benjamin M. Flowers, and Carol A. Thompson from Ashbrook Byrne Kresge Flowers LLC in Cincinnati. The case is presided over by Judge JPH with Case ID 1:26-cv-00188-JPH.
Source: 126cv00188_Calfano_v_The_University_of_Cincinnati_Complaint_Southern_District_Ohio.pdf
