AMES, Iowa — A former Iowa State University basketball player who faced a rape charge that was later dropped is suing the school, claiming its response ruined his chances of playing professional basketball.
The Des Moines Register reports Bubu Palo’s lawsuit accuses university officials of wrongly punishing him even after the criminal case against him was dropped. The suit also names the Iowa Board of Regents.
Palo was charged with felony sexual abuse in 2012 after a female student accused him of rape. The case was dropped due to lack of evidence, but ISU President Steven Leath barred Palo from playing, saying he violated student conduct rules.
Leath’s decision was eventually overturned, but Palo says he faced scrutiny due to the punishment.
University officials haven’t responded to the complaint.
