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Ohio State Ex-Band Director Denied Access to Trustees Records
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A federal judge has denied fired Ohio State marching band director Jonathan Waters broad access to trustees’ records that Waters had argued might help prove his gender discrimination case.
District Judge James Graham issued the decision Friday after a telephone conference with attorneys.
Waters alleged trustees were directly involved in his dismissal, making their actions against other employees throughout the vast university legally fair game. A decision in his favor could have shed light on the nearly impenetrable decision-making processes of the board.
President Michael Drake fired Waters in July after an internal investigation concluded he ignored a “sexualized culture” of raunchy, profane and suggestive rituals within the celebrated band.
Waters has denied the charges. He is pursuing separate discrimination and defamation lawsuits seeking reinstatement and $1 million in damages.