Gary Hunninghake resigns UI position

IOWA CITY - A University of Iowa researcher who has been on paid leave for one year has resigned from the university, effective May 31.

Dr. Gary Hunninghake, 64, of Coralville, resigned his UI position as a tenured faculty member in a letter March 31 to UI Interim Provost P. Barry Butler. He will continue to receive his $360,000 annual salary through the May 31 resignation date, UI Spokesman Tom Moore said Thursday.

“I will always value the many academic opportunities provided to me through the university, and will long relish the personal and professional relationships I have been privileged to enjoy,” Hunninghake wrote.

In a response dated April 1, UI Associate Provost for Faculty Tom Rice accepted Hunninghake's resignation and wrote “in light of it, we will postpone the hearing under the Ethics Policy.”

The letters were released to The Gazette under an open records request to the university.

Hunninghake was under investigation by UI Police for child pornography when he stabbed himself in Chicago last April, according to a Chicago police report of the stabbing incident. Hunninghake's Iowa City attorney, Leon Spies, has said the UI investigation found no basis for criminal charges.

Spies on Thursday said Hunninghake's resignation stems from “personal and professional reasons that are best left to Dr. Hunninghake.”

When asked if this resolves the UI investigation of Hunninghake, Spies said “I believe that the lid is on pretty tight.”

The ethics policy hearing referenced in Rice's letter was part of the due process given to all UI faculty, Moore said. He declined to say if Hunninghake's resignation ends any investigation or possible action by the UI.

“That would be confidential personnel information that I can't discuss,” Moore said.

Hunninghake did not return a phone message Thursday.

UI officials in February said they were pursuing unspecified action against Hunninghake, who has been on paid leave since April 23, 2010.

Hunninghake was director of the university's Institute for Clinical and Translational Research. He told Chicago police he was stabbed and robbed April 24 while jogging in downtown Chicago, the day after he was put on leave at the UI. Hunninghake later admitted to Chicago police he stabbed himself.

He pleaded guilty in January to misdemeanor disorderly conduct in Cook County, Illinois. He was originally charged with felony disorderly conduct.

Hunninghake has filed suit in Johnson County seeking to stop the UI from releasing any information about the university investigation of him. It seeks an injunction prohibiting officials from disclosing records requested by the media. A court hearing is set for June 13.