Justice for Mimi Crespo

After 18 years of service at NEIU, I was abruptly removed from my position as Interim Director at the El Centro campus. This interruption to my career occurred because a politically connected outsider decided I had to go. She spread lies, encouraged others to complain, and persuaded university leaders to ignore their own rules. When I spoke up about the bullying and hostile environment; I was ignored. The lack of response to my concerns and the actions of the university in caving in to the attack on my leadership and performance has necessitated legal action on my part. My lawsuit has implications for more than my career and the individual sued—it also reveals how NEIU allowed power and politics to replace fairness, truth, and integrity.