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By James Peters

TRU Investigation

Former TRU administrator Larry Phillips suing school, president over termination

Apr 27, 2023 | 11:27 AM

KAMLOOPS — A former Thompson Rivers University administrator who was the subject of an independent investigation into improper conduct is now suing the university and its president.

Larry Phillips was one of two senior administrators named by a group of anonymous complainants who filed a whistleblower complaint in February 2021.

The university commissioned an independent investigation shortly after the allegations were made. Findings from the investigation were made public in January 2023. The investigators could not substantiate 22 allegations against the second administrator, Matt Milovick.

A further 33 allegations against Phillips were investigated, with 10 of them substantiated.

TRU President Brett Fairbairn terminated Phillips from his position as Associate Vice President, People and Culture in December 2021. In his statement of claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court Wednesday (April 26), Phillips says Fairbairn told him his dismissal was not related to the complaints or ongoing investigation.

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The statement lists Phillips’ analysis of the 10 substantiated complaints, which included comments deemed to constitute sexual harassment, personal harassment, age discrimination and racial discrimination.

In his civil suit against TRU and Fairbairn, Phillips alleges breach of contract, violation of the Workers Compensation Act, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and breach of privacy.

He is seeking more than $72,000 he believes is owed to him by the school, in addition to damages.

Earlier this year, Milovick filed a suit against the eight complainants, alleging defamation.

Neither Phillips’ nor Milovick’s allegations have been proven in court.