TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Rao Rescinds Resignation From USF

ADVERTISEMENT

By LINDSAY PETERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 20, 2009

Related Links

• Video
• Previous: USF Settles With Dean

Abdul Rao

TAMPA - The University of South Florida associate vice president caught on a security tape taking a student's bicycle has rescinded his resignation from USF.

"I am convinced that the conditions under which the resignations were obtained were extremely unfavorable, not giving me ample time to think through this very important decision. I was given no option to consult a lawyer or a member of my family and was informed that I either resign or else," he wrote.

"I am convinced that the outcome is not compatible with the level of the infraction and has placed my professional and personal life in serious conundrum. I suggest that the university complete its investigation and a judgment is made which is compatible with the committed infraction.

"I am certain that it would not amount to a call for resignation with a severance of six weeks and a professional life totally destroyed. I plan to defend my innocence and make every effort to preserve my professional life and my integrity."

He said he was exercising the option he was given to reconsider within three days of signing the agreement.

USF spokesman Michael Hoad said the university was rejecting Rao's attempt to reverse his decision.

"He is not an employee of the university and will not be an employee of the university," Hoad said. "He can have his attorney call our attorneys."

Rao, who managed research grants for the university's school of medicine, agreed to leave the university this week in the controversy over the bicycle theft on Feb. 9. The tape showed him and another man taking the bicycle from the loading dock of the Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute.

Reporter Lindsay Peterson can be reached at (813) 259-7834.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT