Associate professor Jonathan Barnes sued the University, alleging a biased Title IX investigation into allegations of sexual harrassment in 2024. (Anna Calvo | Staff Photographer)

Editor’s note: This article contains discussion of sexual misconduct. Resources and helplines can be found at the end of the article. 

Associate Professor of Chemistry Jonathan Barnes filed a lawsuit in the St. Louis County Circuit Court on Sept. 1, accusing WashU of acting with “anti-male bias” in the 2024 investigation into allegations that he inappropriately touched students. Barnes currently faces three class C misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree assault in St. Louis County. The misdemeanor case is still pending and the next criminal setting is scheduled for Sept. 15.

The lawsuit continues Barnes’ two-year legal battle, which began on Dec. 2, 2024, when a student in Barnes’ organic chemistry class filed a Title IX case. The case, recorded by WashU Police Department Officer Jeri Hokamp, alleged that Barnes squeezed a student’s shoulders and placed his hands on her lower back. The complaint also states Barnes touched the back of another student’s thighs and placed his hand on top of hers during one-on-one office hours. 

Two months prior, several students took to Sidechat, an anonymous student social media platform, to accuse Barnes of sexual misconduct. 

Barnes’ latest suit claims the alleged touching outlined in the Title IX case were “ordinary academic interactions,” which Barnes characterized as “supportive mentoring.” He said although there was physical touch, it was not sexual.

Barnes’ suit also says WashU conducted a biased investigation, stating the University’s report included all of the student accusations and excluded seven of 13 witnesses who testified in Barnes’ favor. Additionally, the legal document alleges that the University restricted Barnes’ teaching privileges before he could respond to the claims.

Sexual misconduct allegations against Barnes first emerged in November 2024, after the Instagram account @metoo_washu made a post claiming that an unnamed chemistry professor had harassed students. The account then identified Barnes in a subsequent post. Student Life and Inside Higher Ed named Barnes in coverage of the allegations in the following week.

Barnes denied the claims and told Inside Higher Ed in December 2024 that the social media discourse would result in a biased investigation.

“I have already been lambasted on social media without having any formal allegations to respond to,” Barnes said to Inside Higher Ed. “No matter if a formal complaint is ever brought against me, I have already been judged guilty in the court of social media. I will not be able to receive a fair and unbiased investigation.” 

Christopher Combs, the attorney representing Barnes in his misdemeanor case, said in December 2024 that the Title IX case was unfounded. 

“This is the most bogus Title IX I’ve ever seen,” Combs said to Inside Higher Ed.

In June 2025, Barnes sued the @metoo_washu creator for their posts about the allegations. The Instagram page has not posted since May 27, 2025. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the suit against @metoo_washu is scheduled to be heard this November. 

Kevin Dolley, Barnes’ current attorney for his suit against WashU, did not respond to a request to comment.

Associate Vice Chancellor for University Communications Kedra Tolson said the University does not comment on pending litigation.

The Sexual Assault and Rape Anonymous Helpline (S.A.R.A.H) provides confidential and anonymous support and can be reached at 314-935-8080 24 /7 during the fall and spring academic semesters.

There are counselors at the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center, located in Seigle Hall, Suite 435, available confidentially to any University student. The office can be reached at 314-935-3445 or by email at mailto:[email protected].

The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-4673 or via online chat at https://hotline.rainn.org/online 24/7.

To reach Title IX, students can contact Title IX Coordinator Jessica Kennedy at 314-935-3118 or go to the Title IX Office in Umrath Hall 001.

Editor’s note: This article was updated on Sept. 10th to reflect that Barnes’ misdemeanor case will have a criminal setting and not a hearing on Sept. 15th