Mike Garrett accused of sexual harassment at Cal State LA

Former USC athletic director Mike Garrett was accused of sexual harassment by a Cal State Los Angeles administrator on Monday.

Garrett, who was the athletic director at Cal State Los Angeles until June, called female employees “babe,” sweetheart,” “love” and “legs” according to Dr. Sheila Hudson, senior associate athletic director at the university.

The attorneys representing Hudson issued a press release Monday afternoon, saying a lawsuit would be filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

According to the press release, Hudson, a 1996 Olympic triple jumper, said she went to Cal State L.A.’s human resources dept. and was “warned . . . against voicing her complaints.”

Hudson, a 14-year employee at Cal State L.A., said Garrett kept her in an office and tried to force her to reveal the names of women who complained. She also said Garrett threatened to transfer her to another campus department. She accused Cal State L.A. of violating job-posting requirements when it hired Garrett as athletic director without allowing her or others to apply for the top position.

Another complaint by Hudson was that hiring practices were ignored when Garrett hired his son, Daniel, as assistant athletic director in Jan. 2016, and Daryl Gross as Garrett’s successor in June.

“When I first brought forth my concerns about harassment and gender discrimination, I did so alone and quietly, using the University’s internal processes,” Hudson said. “But it quickly became clear to me that these disturbing and discriminatory practices would continue as long as this remained behind closed doors.

“I believe the best way to bring about positive change is to stand up and speak the truth out loud, even if you’re afraid. That’s what I’m doing now.”

University officials declined to comment. Garrett could not be reached for comment.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the source of the information in this story is a press release from the accuser’s attorneys

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