In the third day of his highly publicized administrative hearing, Iowa State Professor Michael Simonson watched as his family testified on his behalf.

In what may have been the most potentially damaging blow to the prosecution’s case, Leroy Simonson, Michael’s father, testified Thursday that his son had invited him along to Beth Kumar’s house. The elder Simonson said he declined the invitation.

Beth Kumar testified on Tuesday that Michael Simonson showed up at her house last New Year’s Eve with two bottles of wine after she had earlier asked him not to come. Kumar said Simonson, who was allegedly already intoxicated, stayed at her house from 9 p.m. until past midnight, and touched her thigh with his foot while telling her about his “sexual fantasies.” Kumar said this made her extremely uncomfortable.

Simonson, professor of curriculum and instruction, is facing allegations of violating university policy, creating a hostile environment, offensive conduct and sexual harassment.

Three ISU students have filed charges against him.

The prosecution rested its case Thursday morning, following the testimonies of Richard Zbaracki, professor of curriculum and instruction, and Camilla Benbow, dean of the College of Education.

The defense called Donald Simonson, Michael’s younger brother, as its first witness.

Donald Simonson testified that their family is a “very close family that enjoys each other’s company.” Donald Simonson said their family typically gets together annually during the holiday season.

Donald Simonson testified he and his wife, along with Michael Simonson and their father, Leroy Simonson, had dinner at Lucullan’s Italian Grill, 400 Main Street, at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve 1996.

Donald Simonson said his brother told the family at their New Year’s Eve dinner that he had asked a friend to join them, but she had to decline because of child-care problems.

He later testified Michael Simonson said the friend had invited him over for a drink after dinner.

“[Michael] said, ‘It is a woman, but we are just friends,'” Donald Simonson said.

Both Donald and Gaye Simonson testified that the whole family split one bottle of wine equally during dinner and that Michael Simonson was not intoxicated at dinner, nor when they left the restaurant.

The family decided to meet at Village Inn, 524 Lincoln Way, the next morning, the Simonson family said.

Donald Simonson said his brother did not look distressed the following morning, as if anything had happened the night before.

“He looked just like Mike,” Donald Simonson said, as Michael Simonson smiled.

Leroy Simonson, who was staying with Michael Simonson during New Year’s, testified he and Michael returned home between 9 and 9:30 p.m. He said Michael Simonson then left to go to his “friend’s” house.

Leroy Simonson said he declined his son’s invitation to accompany him to his friend’s house. He said Michael returned home around 11 p.m.

Leroy Simonson said he saw his son when he returned home, and he did not think he was drunk.

“I didn’t see there was anything wrong,” Leroy Simonson said.

One witness who received intense cross-examining from Steve Young, university attorney, was Sharon Smaldino, professor of curriculum and instruction at the University of Northern Iowa.

Smaldino testified that as colleagues, she and Simonson had a purely professional relationship.

During the intense cross-examination, Young reminded her that in previous testimony, Kumar accused Smaldino and Simonson as to having a “highly kinky” sexual relationship.

Kumar said she had heard this from Kristen Wright, Simonson’s girlfriend at the time. She said Wright had told her that Simonson would act as Smaldino’s “pimp” when they would travel to Padre Island in Texas. Kumar said Simonson would