Testimony ends in Iowa St. sex case

Iowa State Daily AMES, Iowa (U-WIRE) -- Testimony ended Friday at the administrative sexual harassment hearing of Iowa State Professor Michael Simonson, with three women saying they received unwanted sexual advances on separate occasions from Simonson. One of the prosecution's witnesses, Patricia Mowatt, a self-employed photographer from Cedar Falls, told the court she was raped by Simonson in 1989 while they shared a hot tub. Simonson, professor of curriculum and instruction in the College of Education, is accused of violating university policy, creating a hostile environment and offensive conduct. Mowatt gave her testimony over the telephone. She said she was invited by Connie Hargrave, professor of curriculum and instruction and an ISU alumna, to the home of Curriculum and Instruction Professor Anne Thompson in Cedar Falls. Hargrave was house-sitting for Thompson while she was out of town. Mowatt, Simonson and several other women were using a hot tub in the home. Mowatt said she was sitting across from Simonson in the tub when he pulled her towards him and started kissing her. She said Simonson pulled at the bottom of her one-piece swimsuit, and she felt a part of Simonson's body "penetrating" her, although she wasn't sure what part it was. When asked by the prosecution, Mowatt said she now believes she was raped by Simonson, although she has never pressed charges against him. She said the only person she told about the incident was Hargrave, who Mowatt said "didn't seem to be too surprised." The incident Mowatt described is similar to the earlier testimony of Mindy Gallagher, graduate student in curriculum and instruction, who said Simonson put his hand down her boxer shorts while they were in a hot tub at his home. Simonson, who on Thursday testified he has never touched a woman inappropriately, was called to the stand once again to respond to Mowatt's testimony. He said Hargrave invited him to the house, but because the party was eight years ago, he does not remember Mowatt or any of the other guests. He said he was never was alone with anyone in the hot tub, and he never raped or sexually assaulted anyone at the gathering in 1989 or at any other time. Defense Attorney Stephen Terrill questioned Simonson about his relationship with Hargrave. Simonson said Hargrave has visited him at least three times since the sexual harassment charges were brought against him to offer her support. He said she has never disapproved of his conduct. During the trial, it was stated that Sharp is up for tenure this year, and Simonson is on her promotion and tenure committee. Sharp said she and Simonson had a passing conversation this fall in which Simonson reminded her of his position on the committee, adding that she felt Simonson was threatening her. A third witness, Heather Verwers, a former Ames resident, said Simonson had once hugged her tightly and tried to kiss her while they were in her home with a group of friends. Simonson countered by saying Verwers was upset that night because she had just broken up with her ex-husband, and he hugged her to show his support. "I did what was right," he said.