Army Soldier Sues University of Washington for Discrimination

An U.S. Army reservist is suing the University of Washington, accusing the institution of harassment and discrimination for serving in the Iraq war.

A report on seattlepi.com says that Army Reserve Lt. Col. James Lukehart has been employed at the university since 1992 as an electrician and had risen through the ranks to maintenance manager.

In the suit filed in King County Superior Court, Lukehart says that co-workers told him he would be engaging in an immoral action by serving in Iraq. Also, the university launched into allegations of misconduct while Lukehart was deployed.

Lukehart contends he was forced to take a pay cut and demotion to keep his job.

UW spokesman Norm Arkans says that Lukehart’s demotion had nothing to do with his service in Iraq.