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University of Kentucky Settles Suit With Astronomer

Martin Gaskell Sued The University of Kentucky Claiming Religious Discrimination.
Martin Gaskell Sued The University of Kentucky Claiming Religious Discrimination.

By Associated Press

Lexington, KY – The university of Kentucky has agreed to pay $125,000 to Martin Gaskell in exchange for Gaskell dropping a federal religious discrimination suit. Gaskell claimed he was passed over to be director of UK's MacAdam Student Observatory in 2007 because of his religion and statements that were perceived to be critical of evolution.

Court exhibits showed Gaskell was a top candidate, but some professors called him "something close to a creationist" and "potentially evangelical" in e-mails.

UK said in a statement Tuesday that its "hiring processes were and are fundamentally sound and were followed in this case."

A trial was set for Feb. 8.