UNC-Chapel Hill Professor in Argentina Jail Demands Raise
ByA renowned Physics professor who's facing charges of drug smuggling has demanded the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill to give a salary bump.
Paul Frampton is a Louis D. Rubin Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy who holds three degrees from Oxford University. He was arrested Jan. 23 at the airport in Buenos Aires carrying a suitcase with 4.4 pounds of cocaine sewn into the liner.
According to Charlotte Observer, 68-year-old Frampton has made his case for the raise in a letter to Provost Bruce Carney this month. He cites evidence that suggests his pay should be at least twice as high as $107,000, the amount he previously used to receive.
"Oh, it is definitely chutzpah," said Frampton in a telephone interview Monday to the observer.
"But the facts show that I deserve it."
And the facts do side with him. He says that he is most-cited author in the department but salary wise he's on 18th position in a department that has 28 professors.
"I do think it's reasonable to say that it's obvious that his salary is far too low," said UNC-CH mathematics professor Mark Williams. "But no, of course I don't think it's a good idea at all for Paul to be asking for a raise while he's in prison."
Currently, he's in Argentinean jail awaiting trial on the drug charges. He has repeatedly maintained his innocence saying he was duped into carrying the suitcase in which the drugs were hidden.
According to CBS Local, Frampton flew to Argentina to meet a woman he met online only to be met by a man who told him to carry the suitcase filled with cocaine.
According to UPI, friends and supporters say the idea of Frampton as a drug smuggler is ridiculous, but those same friends concede he has a weakness for younger women.
As per the psychological evaluations conducted on him in jail-paid by his supporters- shows schizoid personality disorder which leaves him unable to make normal social connections, results in poor judgment in practical matters and makes him a gullible target for con artists, reports Observer.
According to ABC News, Frampton has not received a pay check since March when he was placed on leave. Under, university policy, Frampton is eligible for 60 calendar days of paid leave per year.
UNC spokesperson has refused talk about the raise citing pending litigation, but did tell ABC NEWS.com that Frampton is a 'valued member of the faculty' and hopes that he 'will return to campus to resume his duties when his personal circumstances permit.'