JOHN JAY ‘PIMPS’ FACING NEW FLAK
Colleagues, alums turn on ‘perv’ profs
Thirty academics and advocates from as far away as Australia are calling on John Jay College to examine the sex research done by its accused pimp profs — and to look for more potential victims.
The allegations raised about rape and sexual abuse against Professors Ric Curtis and Anthony Marcus “raise concerns, for us, as colleagues, researchers, activists, and social service providers who work with people engaged in sexual exchange, that their research may also be tainted by sexual violence,” according to the letter sent last week to administrators.
Referencing how “The Post broke the news” about accusations two profs allegedly engaged in rape, pimping out students and drug use and sales, the signers demanded the university investigate whether students, staff or study subjects were victims of sexual misconduct during the profs’ past research.
The Post early last month revealed John Jay’s internal probe into sexual-harassment allegations, at which point the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office began its own inquiry in connection with the state inspector general.
Two weeks later Naomi Haber, a 24-year-old John Jay graduate, stepped forward to accuse Marcus of violently raping her during an off-campus conference in 2015. She also alleged that Curtis tried to “pimp her out” by suggesting she sleep with a professor he was trying to recruit for the college faculty.
Both Haber and graduate Claudia Cojocaru, 39, who is now a John Jay adjunct professor, described drug use and sales by Curtis in his office.
Curtis, Marcus and two other professors named in the complaints, Barry Spunt and Leonardo Dominiguez, were placed on paid leave.
The DA’s Office is also probing any misuse of public and nonprofit grant money — nearly $1 million — given to the professors at the taxpayer-funded CUNY college.
Curtis and Marcus have long researched the sex trade, including studies on underage prostitution at the West Side school, a training ground for future crime fighters.
“You have to be very careful with this research. You don’t want this population to be taken advantage of,” said Samantha Majic, an associate John Jay political science prof who signed the letter along with two alums.
The letter calls upon CUNY and John Jay “cover financial obligations . . . for ongoing mental and physical health care” if more victims are found.
A John Jay spokesman said the letter is under review.
The accusations have rocked the John Jay campus, where a townhall meeting was held for students and faculty last week.
One student demanded to know why the college had allowed the alleged activity to take place in the professors’ offices — an area known as “the swamp.”
“There was no surveillance,” said Jacqueline Aguilar.
College President Karol Mason said she couldn’t comment on that or talk about the ongoing investigations.