Judge dismisses harassment claims against former LSU researcher

BATON ROUGE, LA. — Weeks before a Baton Rouge court ultimately threw out a request for a protective order by a Louisiana State University (LSU) graduate student against Marc Boudreaux, assistant director at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine's Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine Lab, the university confirmed that it had terminated the veterinary researcher.

LSU Media Relations Director Ernie Ballard confirmed Boudreaux was no longer employed by the university, but says he can't give details about LSU's decision.

Boudreaux was given a notice of termination Nov. 9 several weeks after the student's allegations of sexual harassment surfaced, and he was placed on paid administrative leave, according to Boudreaux's attorney Jill Craft.

Police found no evidence Boudreaux had harassed the woman, Craft says, and on Nov. 17 a judge dismissed the complaint, denied the woman's request for a protection order and awarded Boudreaux limited attorney's fees.

"I think the biggest issue for him is it has gone viral," Craft says of Boudreaux's future after the closure of the case. "How do you go and get a job when you have a woman like this accusing you of such vile, graphic behavior? I think what he really hopes to accomplish is to clear his name."

Craft says Boudreaux, who could not be reached for comment, has not yet decided what the next step in his career will be or whether he will try to regain employment with LSU.

Ginger Guttner, a spokesperson for the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, says the dismissal of allegations against Boudreaux have no bearing on his status with the university. "All decisions that LSU has made regarding Mr. Boudreaux remain unchanged," Guttner says, adding that details about personnel matters are confidential.