Dr. Carla Cesare, a former Assistant Professor of Art History, has filed a lawsuit against the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash and two of its officials, alleging discrimination and retaliation. The complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on December 2, 2025, naming the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash, Dean Robin Lightner, and Department Chair Stephanie Pettys as defendants.
The lawsuit outlines a series of grievances that Dr. Cesare claims she faced during her tenure at UC Blue Ash. Hired in April 2017, Dr. Cesare’s troubles began in November 2021 when she was accused by a student of making an inappropriate comment—a claim she insists was fabricated after confronting the student about sleeping in class. Despite requesting an investigation into this false allegation, Defendants Pettys and UC Blue Ash allegedly refused to follow their own procedures for handling such complaints. This accusation was reportedly used against her in subsequent disciplinary actions based on further anonymous student complaints.
Dr. Cesare argues that these actions were part of a broader pattern of discrimination based on her sex and disability (ADHD), which she disclosed to the university in November 2022. She claims that despite acknowledging her need for support due to ADHD, Defendant Pettys did not offer any accommodations and continued to criticize her performance.
In February 2024, Dean Lightner initiated another disciplinary action against Dr. Cesare under Article 9 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with AAUP due to additional anonymous complaints and alleged failure to respond to an email from Defendant Pettys. This action came shortly after Dr. Cesare submitted dossiers for tenure and reappointment—both denied by Lightner with nearly identical responses.
Dr. Cesare’s complaint accuses the defendants of violating Title VII by discriminating against her based on sex and retaliating against her for insisting on proper investigations into false allegations. Additionally, she alleges violations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for failing to accommodate her ADHD and under the Fourteenth Amendment for denying procedural due process.
The plaintiff seeks several forms of relief from the court: reinstatement to her position, compensation for lost wages and benefits, compensatory damages for emotional distress, punitive damages, attorney fees, prejudgment interest, compensation for adverse tax consequences due to lump-sum awards rather than regular paychecks over time, and any other legal or equitable relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Dr. Carla Cesare is Attorney Bernard W. Wharton from McCaslin, Imbus & McCaslin law firm located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The case is presided over by Judge JPH under Case ID: 1:25-cv-00884-JPH.
Source: 125cv00884_Dr_Carla_Cesare_v_University_of_Cincinnati_Blue_Ash_Complaint_Southern_District_Ohio.pdf
