Naumovski v. Norris

José A. Cabranes, Circuit Judge:

*207 We consider here whether the termination of an employee, allegedly in response to malicious rumors of sexual misconduct, can support claims for sex discrimination. In principle, such claims may well be viable, particularly under the broad statutory cause of action provided by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ("Title VII"). The claims before us on appeal, however, were brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The standards for such claims, particularly with respect to vicarious liability and…