Scientist sues Montana State University women students over leaked report
Bozeman -- A Montana State University plant scientist and a former graduate student are suing the university and four women grad students, accusing them of leaking to the press a confidential investigation report that hurt his reputation and cost him a new job.
Hikmet Budak and a former grad student filed the lawsuit last week in Gallatin County District Court.
The lawsuit accuses MSU of negligence, violation of privacy and breach of contract, and seeks an unspecified amount of money damages. It contends MSU knew or should have known the women grad students would seek to publish the university’s confidential investigation and didn’t do enough to prevent them from copying the report.
The lawsuit accuses the four graduate students of defamation, portraying Budak in a false and highly offensive manner, sabotaging his new job at an Illinois university and intentionally inflicting emotional distress. It also asks a judge to bar the defendants from further publishing MSU’s investigation report or giving interviews.
Read more: https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/montana_state_university/scientist-sues-msu-women-students-over-leaked-report/article_65daae8d-cebf-545d-9b37-8eb87b122b68.html