Ex-professor drops lawsuit against school

A former Benedictine University psychology professor has dropped his $4 million lawsuit against the Lisle school.

Initially citing forced resignation over a relationship with a much younger female student, teacher James F. Iaccino voluntarily dismissed the case without prejudice April 28 in DuPage County Circuit Court during a routine status hearing.

The cause for dismissal is unknown, but Benedictine officials are pleased.

"We don't know why it was dismissed ... but we believed there was no merit to the case, and we would prevail if the case went forward," Benedictine spokeswoman Mercy Robb said.

Iaccino did not return calls for comment last week.

Iaccino ended his 25-year career with the college Oct. 6, 2006, as a tenured professor and one-time chair of the psychology department. According to the lawsuit, which was filed last year in June, the resignation was against his will.

Iaccino said in the lawsuit that he was confronted by then-Provost Daniel Julius about the relationship with the student, who was "under 21" at the time. The lawsuit pointed out that he was seen in the cafeteria and dormitory with her, and e-mails referencing their intimate relationship had surfaced.

Although he conceded to the allegations, Iaccino went on to say in the lawsuit that Julius authored a letter of resignation, as if written by Iaccino, and demanded he sign it immediately or else face termination.

Citing emotional distress, Iaccino said he signed the letter and later filed the resulting lawsuit. But he chose to no longer follow through on those accusations last week.

"If he didn't dismiss, we were confident we would have prevailed," said Benedictine attorney Bart Murphy.

Although Iaccino voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit, he can re-file within the statute of limitation from the alleged misconduct, according to Murphy.

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