Former Saint Augustine's University president suing trustees for retaliation, sexual discrimination

The former president of Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh is suing two current members of the board of trustees for their roles in what she calls a hostile work environment that eventually led to her firing.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Raleigh, names then-Board of Trustees Chairman James Perry and then-Vice Chairman Brian Boulware as defendants.

Christine McPhail says Perry and Boulware fostered an environment of sexual discrimination against female board members, as well as female employees of Saint Augustine's University.

Both Perry and Boulware are still on the board, with Boulware serving as chairman now.

In the lawsuit, McPhail details the swift downfall that she says led to her firing.

McPhail claims years of derogatory behavior toward women, which came to a head during a Board of Trustees meeting in October 2023.

In that meeting, McPhail highlights a contentious interaction with another board member who is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit. McPhail said that days after that meeting, she filed a complaint with the school.

About a month later, McPhail says the board voted to fire her. In early December, she was given an official termination letter, citing "just cause" as the reason.

The lawsuit claims McPhail's complaint about that October board meeting directly led to retaliation that eventually cost her her job.

At the time, the school was and still is trying to dig out of a financial hole, as well fix problems with its accrediting agency, which impacts whether students can receive federal financial aid.  That money is a major source of  Saint Augustine's revenue.

Boulware refused to comment about the lawsuit.

WRAL Investigates also received a document that Saint Augustine's confirmed is legitimate, which refutes some of McPhail's claims. The legal declaration from another Saint Augustine's employee said McPhail was not always honest with board members when discussing the school's finances.

However, it does back up claims made about that contentious board meeting in October 2023, which McPhail feels was the beginning of her end.

The school wrote, "Due to the legal nature of the document, we cannot provide any additional reference."

In the lawsuit, McPhail is seeking at least $150,000 in punitive and compensatory damages, as well as attorneys' fees. If the case goes to trial and she wins, the jury and judge could award more. According to federal court records, the case has been selected for mediation. If an agreement isn't made, the case would likely go to trial.