Report: 8 women claim sex harassment at California institute

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A Salk Institute biologist has denied allegations that he sexually harassed at least eight women over 30 years at the renowned Southern California research center.

The eight spoke to the journal Science and alleged a pattern of harassment by star biologist Inder Verma dating to 1976. His alleged behavior included forced kisses, pinching women’s behinds and touching their breasts.

Five of the women spoke on the record to Science and three did it anonymously.

His attorney tells the San Diego Union-Tribune Tuesday that Verma denies the allegations. The 70-year-old scientist has been placed on leave.

The institute released a statement that says it does not condone any inappropriate workplace behavior.

It’s the latest uproar at the research center, which was sued last summer by three female professors alleging gender discrimination.

___

Information from: The San Diego Union-Tribune, http://www.utsandiego.com