(Ames, Iowa) – Iowa State University and former Vice President for Finance and Operations Shawn Norman are facing a lawsuit from a former employee who alleges she faced discrimination on the basis of her age and sex. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports former ISU Director of Facilities Services Christine Maduro filed suit July 31, claiming that she has “suffered immense mental, physical, and emotional distress” as a result of actions taken by Norman during her employment and when she was let go without justification or evidence of wrongdoing, according to the lawsuit.

Norman left ISU in December after less than one year in the position, signing a separation agreement with the university that had him receive $124,000 in a “separation payment” and affirm that he wouldn’t sue the university. Caitlynn Miller, another ISU employee who served under Norman, will also receive $124,000 through a settlement agreement after alleging she experienced harassment and retaliation.

(Photo by Perry Beeman/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

“Ms. Maduro was discriminated against because she was an older woman when Mr. Norman refused to work with Ms. Maduro, when Mr. Norman promoted someone else to a position who was less qualified than Ms. Maduro, and subsequently terminated from her position without just cause and with no evidence of wrongdoing,” the lawsuit alleged.

ISU spokesperson Angie Hunt said in an email that the university has no comment on the lawsuit.