The University of Georgia has agreed not to fire a professor charged in a prostitution sting, even if he is found guilty, as long has he retires by the end of next year’s spring semester.
A UGA spokesman said Max Reinhart, a tenured professor, has agreed not to sue the university and leave the campus May 10, 2013, as long as he’s not terminated.
The agreement was reached Friday, according to UGA spokesman Pete Konenkamp.
Reinhart, 65, was arrested June 7 after Gwinnett County authorities say he tried to prostitute himself for $60 after setting up a meeting online with an undercover agent.
Police detectives said they found an advertisement for an individual named "Sasha" in the transexual services section of the website backpage.com. After meeting with Sasha at the Guest House Inn near Norcross, police found the room had been rented by Reinhart.
An undercover investigator arranged for a half an hour of “services” for $60 and then arrested Reinhart, who was dressed as a woman. He was released later on June 7 after posting a $4,800 bond, according to jail records.
He is charged with prostitution and running a house of prostitution for allegedly setting up a meeting at the hotel.
In a June 8 interview from his home, Reinhart, who teaches German literature and history, told Channel 2 Action News, "This charge is not exactly what it appears."
Reinhart has been at the university for two decades and was granted tenure in 1994. He will no longer teach during the remainder of his time at UGA, according to Konenkamp.
The spokesman said the professor, who makes $87,224 a year, will continue to conduct research and will stay employed even if he is found guilty of the charges. He said the process of trying to revoke Reinhart's tenure, which is a contractural right to keep his job, would be costly and lengthy.
"I'm embarrassed. I'm feeling very stupid," Reinhart told Channel 2. "I am deeply remorseful for anything I may have done to bring any kind of doubt to the integrity of the university and myself."
Reinhart’s next court appearance has not been scheduled.
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