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Judge Dismisses OSU Band Director’s Case
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed the civil rights lawsuit filed by Ohio State University’s fired marching band director, putting an almost certain end to his two-year legal fight.
Jonathan Waters was fired in July 2014 for ignoring a “sexualized culture” inside what’s known to fans as The Best Damn Band in the Land. He denied wrongdoing and sued for reinstatement and damages alleging reverse gender discrimination.
Judge James Graham on Friday rejected Waters’ argument that he was treated differently than a similarly situated Ohio State female employee who faced allegations about “sexualized behavior” on the cheerleading squad.
Ohio State argued that Waters was an at-will employee who could be fired for any reason and that he endured no reverse gender bias.
Waters’ lawyers have said he’s out of money.
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