Fired OSU marching band director loses defamation lawsuit

The fired Ohio State University marching band director’s defamation lawsuit against the university has been dismissed by a state court. Jonathan Waters claimed that negative statements surrounding his dismissal were slanderous, defamatory and an invasion of his privacy. In the ruling this week, the judge at the Ohio Court of Claims found Waters became a limited-purpose public figure during the internal investigation of a “sexualized culture” within the marching band. That legal distinction gave the University more leeway in what could be said. Ohio State was compelled to investigate after a parent complained of inappropriate behavior inside the band. The college then had the right to explain its findings and Waters’ firing because the findings of the band investigation were a matter of public concern and the court said it was “beyond doubt” that the university had the right to issue public comment and releases about them.