Jeffrey Sonnenfeld

Issues

* Emory Business School professor was forced to resign over allegations of vandalism. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a tenured professor was considered guilty of vandalism, but no faculty hearing was ever held.

* Mr. Sonnenfeld was interrogated by police and was threatened with arrest. The police threaten to prosecute Mr. Sonnenfeld, which led to his immediate resignation. The police did not investigate any other suspects and the logbook indicated that the case had been closed. Mr. Sonnenfeld was impacted negatively by situation because people presumed he was guilty.

* Mr. Clough, president of Georgia Tech was influenced by various other factors besides the evidence of the case, which led to the withdrawal of Mr. Sonnenfeld’s job offer.

* Professor. Sonnenfeld had a powerful social network with senior executives and would often boast about his success and corporate connections. Mr. Sonnenfeld’s powerful connections and social networks impacted his professional relationships with his colleagues negatively. Following these events ultimately Professor Sonnenfeld’s offer from Yale University was influenced by social politics and he was not offered a position. Emory University officials would later admit in a sworn testimony that there was no record of violence or Mr. Sonnenfeld threatening anyone.

Recommendation

* Mr. Sonnenfeld was the scapegoat and should fight in court to prove his innocence and protect his reputation. The police accused a man who had raised millions for Emory and the board accepted Emory University President perspective of the crime without ever investigating and reviewing the evidence. Newspapers reported several inaccuracies and never retracted the stories.

* Mr. Sonnenfeld should have requested an investigation before resigning from Emory and requested his attorney review the video tape and other evidence.

* Mr. Sonnenfeld had numerous powerful relationships with senior leaders including Presidents. His supporters...