Professor Called 'Racist' For Saying 'Mob' Can Sue Trustees, Judge Rules

A federal judge has ruled that Professor Jack Lipton can sue two Michigan State University trustees, Rema Vassar and Dennis Denno, for their role in a targeted campaign against him. The controversy began when Lipton, as faculty senate chair, criticized Vassar for allegations of unethical conduct, including accepting gifts from a university donor and appearing in an ad endorsing a private wealth management business. Vassar organized her sorority sisters to attend a meeting, where they "jeered" at anyone who spoke out against her. Denno coordinated with a student to contact a reporter and say "Lipton= Racist" in response to Lipton's statement about the meeting. The judge ruled that Lipton had a case against Vassar and Denno because they took affirmative actions motivated by Lipton's speech, which would chill First Amendment activity. The judge dismissed Lipton's lawsuit against the board of trustees except for his claims against Vassar in her personal and official capacity and Denno in his official capacity. Lipton alleges that Vassar and Denno crafted language to attack him, pushed students to file complaints, and coordinated with students to raise attacks against him due to his protected speech. The judge ruled that Lipton did not have claims against the other trustees because they did not do anything specifically against him. Despite an outside investigation finding that Denno and Vassar violated board bylaws and code of ethics, Governor Gretchen Whitmer decided not to remove them from the board.