WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A Florida Atlantic University professor who was fired after publicly saying that the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut was a hoax has lost a lawsuit claiming he was wrongfully terminated.
James Tracy lost his battle with the state university Monday after a federal jury sided with the school in his free-speech lawsuit.
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The school contended communications professor James Tracy was fired last year, not because of his blog posts about the Sandy Hook school shooting, but because he violated rules regarding reporting of outside work.
Tracy claimed his firing violated his right to free speech. He wrote on his blog that the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax by the government to impose tougher gun control.
"We are grateful for the careful consideration of the jury in this matter," FAU said in a statement. "The university will continue to prioritize its research mission and the education of its students. The university will make no further comment regarding this matter at this time."
Tracy, 52, sought reinstatement to his position, back pay and damages.
Twenty children and six adults were killed at Sandy Hook in 2012.