D.C. Circuit Revives Professor's Defamation Suit Against National Academy of Sciences
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Peruvian archaeology professor Luis Jaime Castillo Butters' defamation lawsuit against the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) can proceed. Castillo, expelled from the NAS in 2021 after a former student accused him of sexual harassment, claims the NAS's public statement that he violated its Code of Conduct was false and defamatory. The appeals court reversed a lower court's dismissal, finding Castillo adequately alleged falsity and defamatory meaning. The case returns to district court to address negligence claims.
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Professor's Defamation Case Against National Academy of Sciences Over Sexual Harassment Allegations Can Proceed
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a defamation lawsuit by Peruvian archaeology professor Luis Jaime Castillo Butters against the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) can proceed. Castillo, an international member of the NAS, had his membership rescinded in 2021 after a former student accused him of sexual harassment. The NAS publicly stated his membership was revoked for a Code of Conduct violation, specifically Section 4, which prohibits harassment and discrimination. Castillo denied violating the code and sued for defamation, defamation by implication, and false light invasion of privacy. The appeals court reversed a lower court's dismissal, finding that Castillo adequately alleged the statements were false and defamatory, as they implied he engaged in odious conduct like sexual harassment. The case was remanded for further proceedings on the negligence element of the defamation claim.
Reason.comProfessor's Defamation Case Against National Academy of Sciences Over Harassment Allegations Can Proceed
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a defamation lawsuit by Professor Luis Jaime Castillo Butters against the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) can move forward. Castillo, an archaeology professor, was expelled from the NAS in 2021 after a former student accused him of sexual harassment. The NAS publicly stated his membership was rescinded for a Code of Conduct violation. Castillo sued for defamation, arguing the statement falsely implied he committed sexual harassment. The appeals court reversed a lower court's dismissal, finding Castillo adequately alleged the statements were false and defamatory. The court noted that the NAS's statement about violating Section 4 of the Code, which prohibits harassment, could be understood as accusing him of odious conduct. The case was remanded to determine if Castillo also adequately alleged negligence by the NAS.
Reason.comProfessor's Defamation Case Against National Academy of Sciences Over Sexual Harassment Allegations Can Proceed
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a defamation lawsuit by Professor Luis Jaime Castillo Butters against the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) can move forward. Castillo, an archaeologist, was expelled from the NAS in 2021 after a former student accused him of sexual harassment. The NAS publicly stated his membership was rescinded for a Code of Conduct violation. Castillo sued for defamation, arguing the statements falsely implied he committed sexual harassment. The appeals court reversed a lower court's dismissal, finding Castillo adequately alleged the statements were false and defamatory. The court noted that the NAS's statement about violating Section 4 of the Code, which prohibits harassment, could be understood in a defamatory sense. The case was remanded to determine if Castillo also adequately alleged negligence by the NAS.
Reason.comProfessor's Defamation Case Against National Academy of Sciences Over Harassment Allegations Can Proceed
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Professor Luis Jaime Castillo Butters' defamation lawsuit against the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) can move forward. Castillo, an archaeology professor, was expelled from the NAS in 2021 after a former student accused him of sexual harassment. The NAS publicly stated his membership was rescinded for a Code of Conduct violation. Castillo claims the statements were false and defamatory, arguing he did not violate the code. The appeals court reversed a lower court's dismissal, finding Castillo adequately alleged falsity and defamatory meaning. The case will return to district court to address whether Castillo sufficiently pleaded negligence by the NAS.
Reason.comProfessor's Defamation Case Against National Academy of Sciences Over Sexual Harassment Allegations Can Proceed
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a defamation lawsuit by Peruvian archaeology professor Luis Jaime Castillo Butters against the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) can move forward. Castillo, an international member of the NAS, had his membership rescinded in 2021 after a former student accused him of sexual harassment. The NAS publicly stated his membership was revoked for a Code of Conduct violation, specifically Section 4, which prohibits harassment and discrimination. Castillo claims these statements were false and defamatory, arguing he did not violate the code. The appeals court reversed a lower court's dismissal, finding that Castillo adequately alleged the statements were false and capable of defamatory meaning. The case was remanded to determine if Castillo sufficiently pleaded negligence by the NAS. The court also ruled that Castillo did not adequately allege defamation by implication regarding comments by NAS President Marcia McNutt.
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