State wants new look at jobless aid for lawyer
Mich. asks judge to take 2nd look at decision awarding jobless benefits to fired lawyer
State officials are asking a judge to reconsider a decision granting unemployment benefits to a former assistant attorney general who was fired after hounding a gay student leader at the University of Michigan.
An Ingham County judge awarded benefits after finding that Andrew Shirvell was fired for exercising his free speech. But the attorney general's office says the offense was not related to the First Amendment. The state says Shirvell's conduct disrupted public business and was not protected.
The state believes Judge Paula Manderfield's decision is wrong. Officials are asking her to vacate her October order and uphold the decision of the unemployment agency.
In a separate matter, a jury in August ordered Shirvell to pay $4.5 million to Chris Armstrong, who was student government president at U-M.
Related:
Read: Ousted Assistant Mich. AG Shirvell Files Lawsuit
Read: Assistant Mich. AG Shirvell Fired
Read: Stalking trial likely for anti-gay, ex-Michigan attorney
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