Ex-UCI Physics Dept. Worker Files Sexual Harassment Suit

A 39-year-old Huntington Beach woman has filed a lawsuit against the chairman of UC Irvine’s physics department, alleging he sexually harassed her for several months in 1992 when she was a secretary in his department.

Marie Lyons said in the lawsuit that Myron Bander incessantly asked her out on dates and told her, “I would like to be with you.” Lyons also alleges that she was eventually fired after complaining to the department about the harassment.

“This simply did not occur,” Bander, 56, said Thursday in an interview. Bander would not comment further about the lawsuit, which he said he had not yet read.

Lyons declined to comment, referring questions to her attorney, Joel W. Baruch.

Baruch said UC Irvine tried to protect Bander’s reputation by fabricating a case to fire Lyons for “dishonesty” and “misuse of funds” after she accused him of harassment.

In the suit, Lyons said she began working in the physics department as an administrative assistant in 1990. In March, 1992, Bander, who had recently been promoted to chairman, became her boss.

At that time, the “constant” harassment started, according to the lawsuit. Bander would corner her in the office and not let her pass by, Lyons stated in the suit. Bander allegedly said, “You’re beautiful and intelligent, and I would like to be with you,” and often called Lyons at home at night, seeking dates, according to the lawsuit.

Lyons said that Bander would not stop his advances, even after she told him she was not interested.

Three months after telling the department about Bander’s behavior, Lyons said she was fired in “retaliation.” She is seeking damages for pain and suffering and reimbursement for past, present and future pay.

The UC Board of Regents is also named in the suit.