Ruling soon in UI wrongful termination suit

Sixth Judicial District Judge Douglas Russell said Friday he will issue a written ruling as soon as possible on a motion to dismiss a wrongful termination lawsuit by fired University of Iowa vice president Phillip Jones.

Russell heard arguments from both sides Friday in Johnson County District Court.

Jones, former dean of students and vice president for student services, charges he was wrongfully fired and the UI did not follow due process and that UI President Sally Mason made false and defamatory statements about him. Named in the suit are the state Board of Regents, the UI and Mason, who fired Jones and another administrator in September 2008 after a sexual assault scandal involving student athletes.

Lawyers for Jones argued Mason's statements went beyond what was necessary and served to “demonize” Jones to the public and future employers. Mason acted with actual malice in her statements and harmed Jones' reputation, attorney Dave Dutton said.

But Assistant Iowa Attorney General Mark Hunacek argued Mason acted on behalf of the state, and should have the same immunity from such claims just as the state does. Mason's allegations of lost trust in Jones do not rise to the level of being stigmatizing, he said.