Diverse Docket: New Jersey University Lawful in Terminating Former Black General Counsel - Higher Education

Diverse Docket: New Jersey University Lawful in Terminating Former Black General Counsel - Higher Education: After being faced with the threat of a federal indictment in a Medicaid fraud investigation seven and a half years ago, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey terminated the African-American woman who was its general counsel, as well as three other employees—all women.

Now, a state appeals court says the university had a ‘legitimate, non-discriminatory reason” to discharge Vivian Sanks King and upheld dismissal of her race, gender and age bias suit.

As the university’s chief legal officer, Sanks King’s duties included oversight for compliance at a time when UMDNJ allegedly engaged in systematic double-billing for medical services, the court said.

According to the court, in 2001 Sanks King learned that University Hospital had likely engaged in illegal Medicaid reimbursement practices but didn’t notify the state Medicaid program until 2004.