Temple University Defeats Ex-Engineer’s Bid to Revive Bias Suit

A Black former Temple University engineer lost his appeal to the Third Circuit challenging the use of evidence in his retaliation suit.

Stephen Branch sued the university, his direct supervisor, and a human resources manager alleging race discrimination and retaliation under federal and state civil rights laws, as well as interference and retaliation under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

A jury returned a verdict for Temple, which said it fired Branch because he skipped work for three consecutive days and lied about his absence.

Branch claimed Temple’s justification was pretext for his firing, and said the lower court was ...