Kansas Athletics settles dispute with now-former employee for $600,000

By Conner Mitchell     Jul 13, 2020

The athletics department at the University of Kansas at the end of June settled a dispute involving the now-former assistant athletic director for alumni engagement for $600,000, a settlement agreement shows.

Allegations regarding events that took place in 2014 were brought forward by Jen Allee, who had worked in the department since 2004, according to the agreement. The document does not specify what the supposed events were or who was involved.

As part of the agreement, Allee agreed to resign from her position in the Williams Education Fund on July 1, just two days after she signed it on June 29. A large majority of the settlement total — roughly $515,000 — will be paid by the department’s insurance company. KU Athletics is responsible for paying the other $85,000, the agreement says.

Broken down, nearly $36,000 of the settlement is for “alleged lost wages,” nearly $324,000 is payment for “alleged personal injury damages,” and just over $240,000 will pay Allee’s attorney fees in the matter. Allee was also reimbursed $1,575 for the cost of a December mediation with Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP, a national workplace law firm.

As part of the agreement, Allee agreed to not publicly disparage or make negative comments about anyone involved in the matter. Conversely, there are six department officials at KU who are prohibited from making negative comments about Allee: Athletic Director Jeff Long, Executive Associate AD Nicole Corcoran, Deputy AD for External Engagement Chris Freet, Deputy AD for Administration Sean Lester, Assistant AD for Human Resources Frank Reeb and Senior Associate AD for Development Ryan White.

Former KU Athletics director Sheahon Zenger, who was in charge of the department when Allee’s allegations took place, is not mentioned in the agreement.

Joe Monaco, KU’s director of strategic communications, told the Journal-World that “the matter is resolved,” the only communication allowed by Allee or KU in the agreement.

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54808Kansas Athletics settles dispute with now-former employee for $600,000