ASU professor accused of sexual misconduct announces retirement

PHOENIX — Lawrence Krauss, an Arizona State University professor who was accused of sexual misconduct and placed on paid administrative leave in March, announced that he planned to retire from the university in May.

Krauss was accused of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior by multiple women over the last decade and was reportedly found to have violated university policy when he allegedly groped a woman at a conference in Australia two years ago.

The professor released a statement announcing his plans to retire and that the university had accepted his request.

An update on my situation at ASU. I have chosen to retire from ASU in May, 2019, when I turn 65. Onward and hopefully upward to new and different challenges. Details below. Thanks for the support and encouragement from so many of you. pic.twitter.com/7PSh0i4NnU

— Lawrence M. Krauss (@LKrauss1) October 21, 2018

Buzzfeed originally broke a story in Feb. 2018 outlining the allegations against Krauss.

The professor has since staunchly denied the accusations made against him, which he reiterated in his Twitter post.

Science Magazine also picked up a story on his involvement from a third party witness named Melanie Thomson.

The university sent a review of its investigation to Thomson on July 31, determining that he had violated the school’s sexual harassment policy.

Krauss was since relieved of his post as director of the Origins Project, a research unit at the university.

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