Judge Won't Seal Deposition Of Former Asst. AG
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A federal judge is refusing to seal the deposition of a former state of Michigan attorney who lost his job after being accused of harassing a college student.
Andrew Shirvell faces questions Thursday from opposing counsel in a lawsuit by Chris Armstrong, who was an openly gay president of student government at the University of Michigan. Armstrong accuses Shirvell of stalking and defaming him.
Judge Arthur Tarnow refused Wednesday to bar video during the deposition or prohibit the release of the interview. Shirvell says he could be threatened, but the judge says there's no proof.
Shirvell, a 2002 UM graduated, had a blog that criticized Armstrong and homosexuality. He also appeared at campus events. He was fired as an assistant attorney general last year and now lives in North Babylon, N.Y.
Armstrong, who is set to graduate from the University of Michigan this spring, filed the lawsuit in Washtenaw County Circuit Court in April seeking more than $25,000 in damages.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
