Ohio State University is denying defamation claims raised by the school's former band director in a $1 million lawsuit and asking a judge to dismiss the complaint.
The university says no one at Ohio State or acting on its behalf destroyed the "good name" of former band leader Jonathan Waters.
The university, in a court filing Wednesday, denied it escalated negative publicity about Waters through press releases, and counters it was Waters who engaged in a national public relations campaign.
Waters' complaint in the Ohio Court of Claims alleges the school has damaged his reputation so much he can't find work despite previously being among the most respected directors in the field.
Waters wants $1 million in damages for his allegations of violation of privacy, defamation and slander.
