Ohio State responds to Waters
Attorneys for Ohio State have responded to the most recent lawsuit filed against the university by former band director Jonathan Waters. Waters’ latest action accused the university of violation of privacy, defamation and slander. He also claimed gender discrimination in the case of his firing.
Ohio State denied responsibility for harming Waters’ public image. They say, basically, that he did it to himself by making multiple media appearances, some on national television, discussing the university’s reasoning for his dismissal.
Waters says that despite an exceptionally positive reputation for the performances that he designed, he has been unable to find a job at the collegiate or high school since his termination from OSU. The university acknowledges the reputation of Waters’ shows, but says that the band has been doing just fine and continues to have a stellar reputation in his absence. (jj)
Previous: Waters seeks millions in new lawsuit against Ohio State 5/8/15
Former Ohio State band director Jon Waters has filed a new lawsuit against the university. Waters has a pending case against the university in federal court alleging that the school discriminated against him in his firing last July. In the new action, he is accusing OSU of violation of privacy, defamation and slander. As part of the suit, he says that the school issued false statements about him in their report…a report that his lawyers have called “flawed” and “incomplete.” The filing seeks $1 million in compensatory damages on each claim plus punitive damages. (jj)
Previous: Ohio State and Jon Waters meet in court 4/10/15
Former Ohio State band director Jon Waters went to court on Friday, arguing that he should have the right to challenge Ohio State’s ability to dismiss him. The University says that Waters had a contract that allowed Ohio State to fire him basically at any time for any reason. OSU contends that, though they didn’t need one, they had a reason to fire Waters as they did last July. They say that Waters failed to stop a sexualized culture within the band and, in some respects, contributed to that culture.
Waters denies Ohio State’s allegations and says that his firing is partly gender-based. His attorneys point to a previous situation involving a female cheerleading coach who was allowed the opportunity to fix problems of a sexual nature inside of her department before she was terminated. Waters says that he was never given that chance.
There is no word on when a decision may be reached from Friday’s hearing. (jj)
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