FORT MYERS – A former police chief is suing theFlorida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees for gender discrimination and retaliation, claiming she was terminated for citing the university’s failure to comply with federal laws and reports of sexual harassment.

Plaintiff Kelli Smith filed a lawsuit in the federal court against the FGCU Board of Trustees, citing allegations of gender discrimination and retaliation in violation of the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, and the Florida Civil Rights Act.

According to court documents, Smith was employed as FGCU’s Chief of Police. Smith claims that while she was employed by the defendant, the university did not properly report crimes, especially those related to sexual assault and violence, creating a public safety threat for female students and employees. According to Smith, these actions are in violation of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, which is a federal law requiring colleges to report crimes on campus.