Ex-band director denied access to trustee records

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

A federal judge has denied fired Ohio State marching band director Jonathan Waters broad access to trustees’ records that Waters had argued might help prove his gender-discrimination case.

District Judge James Graham issued the decision Friday after a telephone conference with attorneys.

Waters alleged trustees were directly involved in his dismissal, making their actions against other employees throughout the vast university legally fair game. A decision in his favor could have shed light on the nearly impenetrable decision-making processes of the board.

President Michael Drake fired Waters in July after an internal investigation concluded he ignored a “sexualized culture” of raunchy, profane and suggestive rituals within the celebrated band.

Waters has denied the charges. He is pursuing separate discrimination and defamation lawsuits seeking reinstatement and $1 million in damages.