Ex-OSU band director files defamation suit

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

The former director of Ohio State University’s marching band filed a new lawsuit Friday claiming the school has damaged his reputation so much that he can’t find work despite previously being among the most respected directors in the field.

Jonathan Waters is seeking $1 million in damages for his allegations of violation of privacy, defamation and slander. It’s his second legal action against the school since he was fired in July after an internal investigation concluded he ignored a “sexualized culture” inside the celebrated band. He’s separately pursuing a federal civil rights claim of gender discrimination.

Waters’ iPad-designed halftime shows were considered revolutionary. They’ve garnered hundreds of thousands of YouTube views for what fans know as The Best Damn Band in the Land.

Despite that reputation, Waters says he’s applied for more than 40 high school and college marching band jobs since he was fired and has gotten no offers.

Friday’s suit cites a newly surfaced letter from School of Music Director Richard Blatti, who wrote to Waters’ parents last fall saying Ohio State’s board of trustees ignored his input opposing the firing and that he threatened to resign over the decision. Blatti issued a statement this week saying he understands the circumstances better now.

Waters’ legal team, funded through a donation campaign led by band alumni, introduced the letter for the first time Wednesday as part of his federal suit. They argue Blatti’s statements should allow them to include trustee interviews and emails in their review.

A federal judge has dismissed Waters’ claim that the university violated his constitutional right to due process and has given him four months to prove the claim that he was treated differently than a similarly situated female employee.

The university stood by Waters’ firing Friday.