Defamation lawsuit against MSU president alleges pattern of harassment at Utah Tech

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - OzarksFirst is following up on the federal lawsuit against Missouri State University President Richard "Biff" Williams.

Williams is accused of having a history of allowing vulgar sexual comments.

The misconduct lawsuit names Williams and over a dozen others as allegedly fostering an environment of discrimination and hostility against employees.

The lawsuit lists several incidents that happened while Williams was president at Utah Tech University, like allowing what it calls "highly obscene and vulgar sexual comments" in a public break room in September of 2021. The plaintiffs reported the displays and that's what started the pattern of harassment, according to the suit.

On Nov. 8, 2023, a display of vegetables was left on the doorstep of UT Tech's Vice President Jordon Sharp that the lawsuit calls "obscene."

With the display was a note, attributing the suggestive vegetables to Title IX coordinators. In actuality, the lawsuit says it was Williams who left the display.

The two Utah Tech University employees are suing for discrimination, retaliation and defamation because the note containing a sexual innuendo said the display came from them.

According to the suit, "Defendant Williams defamed Plaintiffs when he falsely ascribed Plaintiffs' names to a note containing sexual innuendo accompanying an innately vulgar sexual display and delivered the display and note to Sharp."

The vice president, a close friend of Williams, thought the display was humorous, so he then sent a picture of the display and the note around to multiple group chats and showed it to senior administrators.

Williams at first denied he was the one who left the display.

The lawsuit states "Defendant Williams' misconduct was directed toward Plaintiffs in response to their execution of their duties within the OGC and OEC & TIX, including, but not limited to, the September 2021 Incident involving the sexual comments posted in the UMAC breakroom."

Once the incident was reported to human resources by the Plaintiffs, the lawsuit alleges Utah Tech "knew of Williams' misconduct and condoned it by providing him a highly favorable separation agreement in lieu of discipline." The employees who eventually sued were told their complaints were being dismissed with Williams stepping down from the university.

Saturday, Nov. 9, Williams emailed the university saying "I initiated what I intended to be a humorous gesture toward a member of our staff. I have since come to realize that the prank was not appropriate. This was a mistake. I regret my lapse in judgment, and I accept this as a learning moment."

MSU Freshman Kierra Beltran says she believes the incident isn't that much of a big deal.

"I think it's more of like a personal thing and less of a professional thing that it will affect him," Beltran said. "I think he could still do a good job."

Beltran says since it was a gimmick between university officials and didn't involve students, she thinks he will still be a good president.

"Maybe he should have had a little more thought about it before he decided to take action," Beltran said. "Overall, I think it's something they can move past and I think he can move about his day and be okay."

MSU says they are aware of the pending lawsuit and have confidence in Williams' ability to lead the university.