UTSA President Romo’s hugs were sexual harassment, UT System report states

University President Ricardo Romo talks about his retirement during a press conference at the H-E-B University Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio recently. There are still unanswered questions about his departure. less University President Ricardo Romo talks about his retirement during a press conference at the H-E-B University Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio recently. There are still unanswered questions ... more Photo: Carolyn Van Houten /Carolyn Van Houten Photo: Carolyn Van Houten /Carolyn Van Houten Image 1 of / 21 Caption Close UTSA President Romo’s hugs were sexual harassment, UT System report states 1 / 21 Back to Gallery

A University of Texas System investigation into complaints of unwanted hugging by UTSA President Ricardo Romo concluded that his behavior “more likely than not” violated the school’s sexual harassment policies.

Three female complainants, all of them Romo’s employees, told investigators they found Romo’s hugging “disgusting,” “perverted” and even physically hurtful but feared they would get fired if they did not hug Romo, the report says.

Ricardo Cedillo, Romo’s lawyer, called the investigation “a complete hatchet job,” “fatally flawed,” and a “character assassination.”

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The information gained in the probe “supports the conclusion that President Romo engaged in sexual harassment and sexual misconduct against the victims,” the report’s executive summary stated. Romo was put on administrative leave with pay on Feb. 14 pending the investigation and resigned on March 3, when UT System officials said the investigation was closed.

The report was sent from Trey Atchley, chief inquiry officer of the UT System and the lead investigator, to Chancellor William McRaven on Feb. 22. It was released Monday in response to an open records request by the Express-News.

Read the whole story in ExpressNews.com or in Tuesday’s Express-News.

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