Court Dismissed Purdue Fort Wayne Lawsuit
A federal judge ruled against former diversity chief MarTeze Hammonds in his discrimination and retaliation lawsuit.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Human Resources
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The US District Court for the Northern District of Indiana has dismissed race discrimination and retaliation claims brought by former chief diversity officer MarTeze Hammonds against Purdue University Fort Wayne. Judge Holly A. Brady issued the ruling rejecting arguments that the university unfairly punished Hammonds for policy violations.
Why it matters
The ruling provides legal closure to a high-profile employment dispute involving university leadership in Fort Wayne. It affirms the universitys position regarding its disciplinary actions taken following internal harassment allegations.
The court dismissed the claims brought by the former chief diversity officer against Purdue University Fort Wayne. The decision addressed allegations of disproportionately harsh punishment following a policy violation.
The players
MarTeze Hammonds
He is the former chief diversity officer at Purdue University Fort Wayne who filed the lawsuit.
Purdue University Fort Wayne
This is a public research university located in Fort Wayne that was the defendant in the litigation.
Holly A. Brady
She serves as a judge for the US District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
The details
MarTeze Hammonds filed the lawsuit following his departure from the university, where he had served as the chief diversity officer. The legal action followed a 2023 complaint in which a former assistant accused Hammonds of harassment and discrimination.
Timeline
In 2023, an assistant accused Hammonds of harassment and discrimination.
On September 17, 2026, Judge Holly A. Brady issued the written court ruling.
Market Landscape
The litigation centers on employment protections under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, reflecting how courts evaluate claims of workplace bias. This ruling marks a judicial finding that the university did not violate these established employment standards.
The court decision confirms that the universitys internal disciplinary policies remain intact. Residents and staff can expect no immediate changes to administrative operations following this legal resolution.
The takeaway
This case highlights the complexities of internal conduct investigations in academic leadership roles. It serves as a reminder of the judicial thresholds required to prove claims of workplace discrimination and retaliation.
Further reading
For more on local workplace policies, visit the Human Resources section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bloomberglaw.
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