Marathon Pundit exclusive: Prof. Klocek’s defamation suit against DePaul moving toward trial

Late Wednesday, Marathon Pundit has obtained a copy of the below press release about the Thomas Klocek free speech case from TC Public Relations.

Covering the crimes against free speech by DePaul University has almost become a full time job for me.

(May 31, 2006, Chicago ) Today the most significant hurdle was cleared in the defamation law suit of Professor Thomas Klocek against DePaul University. Judge Stuart Nudelman of the Illinois Circuit County Law Division Court agreed that Klocek’s claims have merit, which will allow his suit against DePaul to move forward toward a trial by jury.

Judge Nudelman believes that DePaul’s actions to discipline Professor Thomas Klocek went to such extreme that their conduct rose to the level of defamation. He noted that DePaul exhibited destructive political correctness when it gave way to its fear of students’ reactions to Prof. Klocek’s challenges to the student groups’ literature and perspective on the Middle East conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Judge Nudelman also commented that if such limited debate took place when he was a student, it would have resulted in having an inferior educational experience.

Judge Nudelman also stated that DePaul’s public disclosures about Prof. Klocek defamed him in that they denigrated his ability to perform as a professor.

"We have cleared the biggest hurdle before trial. The judge has agreed with us that we have properly stated valid claims for defamation charges against DePaul and individual defendants, including DePaul’s president," said Andy Norman, Klocek’s attorney with the law firm of Mauck & Baker.

Background of Case:

A defamation suit was filed in Illinois ’ Cook County Chancery last June charging that DePaul University and its leadership defamed Professor Thomas Klocek when DePaul publicly characterized arguments he presented to members of Palestinian and Muslim student groups as racist and bigoted. The suit seeks damages against DePaul for maligning Klocek’s integrity and professional competence. The defendants named include: DePaul University ; Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, President of DePaul; and Susanne Dumbleton, Dean of DePaul’s School for New Learning.

For much more on the Klocek case, visit FIRE and read Professor Suspended for Expression Without Due Process

Previous Marathon Pundit post: One year anniversary of the Thomas Klocek press conference at DePaul

Technorati tags: DePaul Chicago Illinois Free Speech Academic freedom Thomas Klocek Law AcademiaIsrael politics defamation