Numerous claims of inappropriate behavior were brought against former Stony Brook athletic director Jim Fiore prior to his dismissal by the school on Nov. 19, sources have told espnW.

Fiore is accused of discriminating against employees based on gender, age and sexual orientation, according to sources close to and within the athletic department, as well as several documents.

Stony Brook's Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action received several complaints about Fiore and had knowledge of his misconduct for at least two years but failed to act, according to sources close to and within the athletic department, as well as several documents.

Among the complaints leveled against Fiore are sexual harassment and retaliation, misappropriation of university resources, and that he interrogated people about their sexuality. According to the documents, which have been received by the Attorney General of New York and the State Inspector General (Stony Brook is part of the State University of New York system), Fiore asked female coaches directly if they were homosexual. Sources also said Fiore asked female student-athletes about their sexual orientation and behaved inappropriately with them.

"The environment within the athletic department was hostile, toxic even," said one source within the athletic department.

When contacted by espnW about the allegations, Fiore's personal spokesman, Michael Conte, said he had "nothing to provide." Conte spoke with Newsday on Nov. 20, saying, "The letter Jim received informing him of the termination of his contract specified no disciplinary action. It would be counterintuitive to conclude the university would buy out his contract to the sum of nearly $800,000 if Jim was facing disciplinary charges."

A member of the Stony Brook media relations department turned down espnW's request for an interview with Donna Woodruff, the school's interim director of athletics, and cited the university's policy not to comment on personnel matters.

Stony Brook president Samuel L. Stanley sent a brief email to the campus community on Nov. 19. The statement, which was also posted on the school's main website, read: "I am writing to inform you that Jim Fiore is leaving Stony Brook University. Senior Associate Athletic Director Donna Woodruff will serve as the Interim Athletic Director as we commence a national search to identify a new Athletic Director."

Within hours of Stanley's email, Newsday reported that Fiore was essentially forced out. The 45-year-old athletic director had 31 months remaining on his contract, worth a total of approximately $800,000, and Stony Brook agreed to pay the full amount left on his deal.

Sources told espnW there was no negotiation with Fiore over his departure. Newsday reported he was called to a meeting with the school's head of human resources, given a lump sum payment and told to leave. One source told espnW the university confiscated Fiore's work cell phone at that time.

Immediately after Stanley released the news of Fiore's departure, Woodruff sent a follow-up email, obtained by espnW, asking members of the athletic department to "not answer any phone calls or communicate via social media in any way on this topic." Woodruff also asked staff to "not entertain any external inquiries at this time."