Berkeley law dean quits over rape allegations

The head of a leading American law school has resigned over allegations that he raped a student, ending any further investigation of the incident under university rules.

John Dwyer, the dean of the law school at the University of California, Berkeley, submitted his surprise resignation last week. According to the lawyer representing the aggrieved student, Professor Dwyer allegedly raped one of his students.

Professor Dwyer said there had been an encounter with the student two years ago, that it had been consensual, and that it did not go as far as full intercourse. Under university rules, his voluntary resignation ends of all formal investigation into his case.

But Laura Stevens, the lawyer representing the student, says Professor Dwyer offered the young woman a ride home because she was drunk, then took advantage of her while she lay passed out on her bed. Ms Stevens said the student was so afraid of retaliation from the dean's office she did not report the case until after she graduated last summer.

Ms Stevens and campus officials want the university to continue its investigation, which began two months ago. Professor Dwyer has not responded to the allegations