FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Florida SouthWestern State College community is reeling from accusations that a top administrator forced an employee to perform oral sex on him, among other sexual harassment allegations.
Dr. Jeffrey Stewart resigned just four days after a number of women came forward accusing him of sexual misconduct. Four FSW employees and one student say Stewart either inappropriately touched them, solicited sex or outright forced them to perform sex acts.
A report from FSW's investigation reveals the first accuser told of an incident where Stewart was drinking and touched her on her thighs. The second woman says he asked her to, "make out with him."
A third woman says he showed her a nude photo of her supervisor. A fourth woman says he told her he'd like to bend her over an exercise ball.
And the fifth woman says he repeatedly took her phone to get her into his car...just to get it back. When she would finally get in the car, she says he pushed her head into his lap and forced her to perform oral sex more than once.
Dr. Stewart either denied or said he did not recall the first four women's claims. His attorney claimed Stewart had consensual sex with the fifth accuser.
He said Stewart plans to sue that woman for defamation.
In FSW's report, Stewart admitted to taking the woman's cell phone, but claimed it was by accident because they have similar phones. He also admitted that while he had her phone, he deleted text messages he sent to her.
The president of FSW released a statement saying, "Dr. Stewart's actions toward the impacted parties show a pattern of behavior which violates FSW Board of Trustees Policy...Discrimination and Harassment Policy...and Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment" The statement added, "FSW is firmly committed to ensuring that every member of the college community can work and learn in an environment that is free of harassment, discrimination and misconduct."
Dr. Stewart resigned from the university four days after the investigation began.
