Ohio University to pay $225K in settlement

ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio University will pay $225,000 to a former student who said the school dragged its heels when she accused an art professor of sexual harassment.

The settlement comes in a federal lawsuit Christy Speakman filed in February. She claimed a male sculpture professor more than 20 years older made unwanted and unwelcome sexual advances, bothered her at home and took secret photos of her.

Speakman said she first went to university officials about Yoshitomo Saito in 2003. He was suspended in 2005 and later resigned, and the school concluded he had engaged in “questionable conduct” involving more than one student.

Saito now lives in Lakewood, Colo. A voicemail for comment was left at one listing under his name; there was no answer at the other.