A University of Michigan-Dearborn police officer has won a jury ruling affirming his First Amendment rights after he was suspended for telling the news media about an alleged coverup of a sexual-assault case, MLive reported.
Office William Ashford had sued university officials in the case involving a student’s accusation against her professor, following Ashford’s 10-day suspension for speaking to the press.
“U.S. District Judge Terrance Berg previously ruled that [Ashford’s] speaking to media was protected speech,” MLive reported. “Ashford was awarded $300,000 in emotional distress damages, records show, as well as about $2,400 in lost compensation.”
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