Judge rules Ohio University did not defame prof

COLUMBUS (AP) — A judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit against Ohio University brought by a former professor blamed in a plagiarism investigation.

A university report said Bhavin Mehta and other mechanical engineering professors failed to be alert to student copying or even ignored plagiarism.

Mehta sued the school in the Ohio Court of Claims. The university responded that the report, prepared by two employees, was protected by freedom of speech.

Judge Joseph Clark ruled Tuesday that Mehta did not prove his case and ordered him to pay court costs.

Mehta’s attorney called the decision inaccurate and disappointing but wasn’t sure if they’d appeal.

The plagiarism probe has led the university in Athens to order rewrites of some theses, and one degree was revoked.