Iranian scientist sues University of Alabama at Birmingham and wins $3.8 million in damages

Fariba Moeinpour, an Iranian-born research scientist, won a federal discrimination lawsuit against the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) after being harassed for nine years by a co-worker due to her ethnicity. She was awarded over $3.8 million in damages. Moeinpour reported the harassment, which included racially charged language and threats, to UAB’s human resources and her supervisor, Clinton Grubbs, who failed to intervene. The abuse escalated, with the co-worker even pulling a gun on her. Despite reporting the incidents, UAB eventually fired Moeinpour when she contacted human resources independently. The university disagreed with the verdict and is considering legal options. Moeinpour, a naturalized U.S. citizen, expressed relief at the outcome and her intention to restart her life in Birmingham. She emphasized the importance of speaking out against discrimination and praised the American justice system. Her lawyer highlighted that individuals do not have to suffer in silence. Overall, Moeinpour’s case serves as a reminder of the persistence of racial discrimination and the importance of standing up against it.

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