Some students at Baruch may be familiar with one of the men accused of being involved in the suspected Russian spy ring uncovered on Sunday. Two years ago, he was an adjunct professor in the college's political science department.
Juan Jose Lázaro, Sr. taught a Latin American and Caribbean Political Systems course in the fall of 2008, where according to The New York Times, he was known for making disparaging comments about the United States and its policies.
But Thomas Halper, chair of the department, said he never noticed anything unusual about Lázaro.
"I honestly don't recall any incidents," said Halper, regarding reports that some of Lázaro's students, upset by his often controversial remarks, had signed a petition calling for his resignation. "I can't tell you that it didn't happen, but I don't recall anything like that."
According to Halper, the professor often talked about his teenaged son, who he said was "a prodigy at the piano."
"The thing that I remember most about him is that he was very caught up in his son and his career," said Halper.
Lázaro taught for only one semester at Baruch. He was let go because, according to Halper, his class was observed and the department was not pleased with the results.
On Wednesay, the Office of Communications and Marketing at Baruch said that there were no plans in place for the college to release an official statement regarding the recent events.
is a member of the 
1 comments