Lawsuit by Student Whose Rape Charge Got Dismissed Approved

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A federal judge says a lawsuit brought by a student expelled from a Sioux Falls university for an alleged sexual assault that was later dismissed can move forward.

Koh Evan Tsuruta is seeking unspecified damages from Augustana University for loss of educational opportunities, emotional injury and loss of future income.

He alleges that the university employees handling his case weren’t properly trained in investigating and adjudicating allegations of rape.

Augustana’s lawyers last fall asked that the lawsuit be dismissed, saying the school didn’t violate any of Tsuruta’s rights.

The Argus Leader reports that Judge Karen Schreier recently denied the request, saying Tsuruta had sufficiently supported his claims.