Montana Man Sues University Alleging Harassment, Discrimination

A former janitor at Montana State University is suing the college over how he was treated by co-workers.

Akram Zahran filed the lawsuit this past week in Gallatin County District Court against MSU, two co-workers and a supervisor.

Zahran says he’s a native of Jordan who became a U.S. citizen.

He says in his lawsuit that co-workers called him a “terrorist,” harassed him and humiliated him until he was forced to quit.

The suit contends MSU was negligent in failing to provide a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and that Zahran suffered mental anguish and emotional distress. It seeks unspecified damages.

MSU spokesman Tracy Ellig tells the Bozeman Daily Chronicle that the university hasn’t yet seen the lawsuit, and it typically doesn’t comment on pending litigation.