A former Ohio University professor who lost a defamation lawsuit against OU is appealing the Ohio Court of Claims' ruling.
Bhavin Mehta, a former associate professor for the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, sued OU in 2006, claiming that a university-issued report had damaged his professional reputation. The report stated that faculty members ignored their responsibilities to prevent their graduate students from plagiarizing.
The report did not cite Mehta's name directly, but provided enough information to identify him.
Mehta claimed that Dennis Irwin, the dean of the Russ College, said Mehta had participated in a culture of plagiarism
according to court documents. Mehta also alleged that John Burns, OU's former general counsel, told the press that the plagiarism cases contributed to Mehta's denied contract renewal, according to court documents.
Mehta asked for $25,000 in damages. Judge Joseph Clark ruled that the report's wording suggested that the report contained opinion and therefore was not defamatory. He also ruled that there was not enough evidence to prove Burns' statement, according to court documents.
It's basically a license to defame people said Mehta's attorney, Frederick Gittes.
Mehta has the right to appeal his case, but OU cannot comment further on the matter, said John Biancamano, OU's general counsel.
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Gail Burkhardt
