Three UF faculty members are involved in an alleged love triangle that could end in a restraining order and a simple battery charge against one of them, according to documents filed with the county.
Their names are not being printed because no charges have been filed by the State Attorney's office and a judge has not yet ruled on the merits of a petition for a restraining order.
According to the petition, in December, a UF clinical assistant professor walked in on the man she was dating, a UF associate professor, while he was sleeping with another woman, who is a lecturer at UF.
The assistant professor confronted the man and he became angry and violent, grabbing her in a bear hug and pushing her against the wall, according to court records.
"He was very threatening, very intimidating, and blamed me for causing all these problems," the woman alleged in the petition.
The two had been dating for about two years and he had given her a "promise ring" the day before, indicating his intention to finalize his divorce and marry her, she said.
According to the petition, the associate professor is married, but separated from his wife in 2006.
A sworn complaint was also filed with the Gainesville Police Department in January, alleging simple battery. The complaint is being investigated by the State Attorney's Office and no decision on whether charges will be filed has been made yet, said State Attorney's Office spokesman Spencer Mann.
UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes said UF is aware of the dispute, and if the associate professor is charged and convicted, UF could decide to levy a punishment ranging from a reprimand to termination.
The associate professor's lawyer said his client is innocent.
"Allegations can be easily made. Proving something is a whole lot different. I have no doubt that the truth will come out in court," he said.
While a temporary restraining order was issued in December, a court date has been set for later this month to decide if the order will stand.
