Former Cal State L.A. AD Mike Garrett accused of sexual harassment

Former Cal State L.A. athletic director Mike Garrett has been accused of sexually harassing female employees in a lawsuit senior associate athletic director Sheila Hudson filed Monday, according to Nathan Ferno of the Los Angeles Times.

Garrett, the former athletic director at USC, served briefly as athletic director at Cal State L.A. before retiring earlier this year. The lawsuit accuses Garrett and Cal State L.A. of violating California's Fair Employment and Housing Act, among other causes of action.

During his time with the Golden Eagles, Hudson says Garrett sexually harassed female employees repeatedly. A 22-page complaint detailed some of Garrett's alleged remarks.

"Immediately upon hire, Garrett began calling the women in the athletics department, including Plaintiff, degrading, sexist names, such as, 'Sweetheart,' 'Love,' and 'Babe,' and one particular woman 'Legs,'" the complaint reads. "Garrett told one student assistant 'I love you' and 'I could kiss you.'"

The lawsuit indicates that Hudson confronted Garrett about the issue and he became hostile in response.

"Garrett exploded at Plaintiff. He yelled, amongst other things, that he has always called women these names - including at USC - and they have never complained," the filing continued. "Feeling intimidated by this attack, Plaintiff returned to her office, only to have Garrett chase after her, storm into her office, and continue to berate her."

The school's law firm, Ogletree Deakins, called the complaint "a reckless compilation of exaggerations and fabrications" in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. "It is without substance and will be repudiated by facts. Women hold most of Cal State L.A.'s top leadership positions."

Garrett couldn't be reached for immediate comment.