Silvia R. Cianzio v. Iowa State University, State of Iowa and Board of Regents, State of Iowa
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| Case Name: | Silvia R. Cianzio v. Iowa State University, State of Iowa and Board of Regents, State of Iowa |
| Case Number: | LACL152315 |
| Date of Trial: | 07/21/2026 |  | Venue: | Polk County |
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| Casetype/Claims: | Wage Discrimination |
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| Judge: | Patrick D. Smith |
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| Plaintiff's Counsel: | Ann Brown | | Defendant's Counsel: | Christopher Deist and Chad Brakhahn |
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| Verdict: | For Plaintiff
Damages: $2,174,981.97
Jury awarded Plaintiff $724,993.99 in damages for wage discrimination.
The jury also found Defendant’s conduct was willful, entitling Plaintiff to an award of three times the damage amount, pursuant to Iowa Code § 216.15(9)(a)(9)(b). |
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| Demand Before Trial: | |
| Offer Before Trial: | |
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Statement of Case:
In this case, the Plaintiff, Silvia Cianzio, alleges Defendant Iowa State University violated the Iowa Civil Rights Act by discriminating in the payment of wages on the basis of sex. She alleges Iowa State University paid her a lower salary than male professors who performed work requiring substantially equal skill, effort, and responsibility. For purposes of this case, Defendants Iowa State University, State of Iowa, and Board of Regents, State of Iowa are considered as one Defendant and referred to collectively as “Iowa State University.” Iowa State University denies Dr. Cianzio’s claim. Iowa State University also contends that any difference between Dr. Cianzio’s salary and the salaries of male professors was based upon a factor other than sex. |
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| Injuries alleged: | |
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| Official Jury Verdict Form: |
 Cianzio v. ISU Verdict Form.PDF |
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Documents of interest:
(when available) |  Cianzio v. ISU Jury Instructions.PDF |
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