Former Georgia Tech professor sues officials for ‘inaccurate’ investigation he says destroyed his career
A former Georgia Tech professor is suing several current and former university officials, accusing them of conducting an “incomplete and inaccurate” investigation that ruined his reputation and resulted in the loss of millions of dollars in potential earnings.
The plaintiff, Joy Laskar, was suspended by Georgia Tech and indicted in December 2014 on charges he and others funneled institute funds to a company Laskar owned. Laskar, an electrical engineering professor, was the first director of Tech's Electronic Design Center and secured more than $70 million in grants and research contracts. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney dismissed the charges in October 2016.
The defendants “attempted to influence a criminal investigation and criminal prosecutor by knowingly providing false, incomplete and misleading information regarding Plaintiff and his actions,” Laskar’s attorneys wrote in a complaint filed in federal court on Sept. 28.
Laskar said his wife and three children suffered great stress as a result of the indictment and negative publicity. Laskar, who now lives in California, lost millions of dollars in potential revenue, the complaint says.
“Dr. Laskar experienced and suffered the destruction of his career and his personal and professional reputation.”
The defendants in the lawsuit include Georgia Tech’s Chief Audit Officer Phillip Hurd and Jilda Garton, Tech’s Vice President for Research.
A Georgia Tech spokeswoman said Tuesday it does not discuss pending litigation.
About the Author
Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He currently writes about higher education and has assisted in the newsroom’s COVID-19 vaccine coverage. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.
