2 U Akron employees resign after harassment claim

AKRON, Ohio (AP) - Two University of Akron employees, including a Republican candidate for Summit County sheriff, have resigned after a university investigation concluded they violated the school's sexual harassment policy.

The Beacon Journal reported Saturday that sheriff candidate Randy Rivers and his supervisor, Michael Jalbert, left their jobs Friday.

Their actions followed an Aug. 3 complaint filed by a female co-worker that alleged Rivers began sexually harassing her after he joined the university in July 2011 as part-time commander of the Law Enforcement Training Center. Jalbert was criticized for not adequately responding to her concerns.

Rivers told the newspaper that the university railroaded him into leaving his job and he would continue his political campaign. He said he fully cooperated with the investigation and believes he had proven his innocence.