Coakley Seeks Dismissal of Westfield State University Ex-President's Lawsuit

BOSTON (AP) — Attorney General Martha Coakley is asking a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the former president of Westfield State University.

The Boston Globe reported Saturday that Coakley says the suit filed by Evan Dobelle should be discarded on technical and legal grounds.

Shortly after being suspended by trustees last month, the 68-year-old Dobelle filed a federal lawsuit against the university and state higher education commissioner alleging that trustees had conspired to damage his reputation and violate his rights.

In a 13-page memo filed in federal court Wednesday, Coakley contended that Dobelle's lawsuit makes only a cursory attempt to support his argument that his free speech and due process rights were violated, the Globe reported.

Dobelle's lawyer, Ross Garber, told the newspaper Friday that he hadn't had a chance to review Coakley's request to have his clients lawsuit dismissed. Dobelle has 14 days to respond.

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