Judge denies Andrew Shirvell's request to seal video deposition in Chris Armstrong lawsuit
A federal judge has denied a request from former assistant Michigan Attorney General Andrew Shirvell to seal his videotaped deposition in a lawsuit filed by former University of Michigan student body president Chris Armstrong, The Detroit News reports.
Andrew Shirvell
Marissa McClain | The Michigan Daily
The court today denied Shirvell's request saying it found "no merit" in his argument that "alleged abuse, threats, and harassment by third parties" created a basis for issuing a protective order, the Detroit Free Press reported.
The judge also denied Shirvell's request to keep the deposition from being videotaped, The News reported.
Shirvell's deposition is scheduled for Thursday, The News said.
Shirvell was fired for using state resources for his campaign against University of Michigan student body President Chris Armstrong and for lying to investigators during his disciplinary hearing, Attorney General Mike Cox said at the time.
Shirvell kept a blog accusing Armstrong of pushing a "radical homosexual agenda" and appeared at several Michigan Student Assembly meetings to protest Armstrong, holding signs — including ones with a rainbow with a swatiska drawn over it. Shirvell was banned by university officials from stepping foot on campus.
Armstrong sought a personal protection order against Shirvell in September, which he later dropped before asking the state bar association to disbar Shirvell. Washtenaw County prosecutors also denied a request for stalking charges to be brought against Shirvell.
Shirvell has moved out of state, The News said.
Comments
trespass
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 9:58 p.m.
I hope Shirvell get to depose Chief Magee and other administrators about the abuse of the trespass policy.
katie
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 9:09 p.m.
I'm glad that this will remain open. It should be a matter of public record when someone who has the duty to uphold the law instead uses their office to harrass someone they do not agree with. Let it be a lesson for anyone in the future who might be tempted to abuse the public trust. I want the attorney general's office to uphold the law, not use their power to intimidate. The saying is "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." By keeping these records open, we are denying the "absolute" part. Even if someone is corrupted by power we need to be able to shine the light of day on their actions. We need to draw the line.
Townie
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 8:31 p.m.
The Detroit News article also had this: Shirvell fears the videotaped deposition would be leaked to the public by Armstrong's lawyer, subjecting him to annoyance, embarrassment and oppression, according to a filing in U.S. District Court in Detroit. Armstrong's lawyer, Deborah Gordon, said the request was ironic. "Shirvell has had no problem publicly attacking (Armstrong) for all the world to hear and see, but now wants the truth or lack thereof behind his accusations to never see the light of day," Gordon wrote in a filing." From The Detroit News: <a href="http://detnews.com/article/20110629/METRO/106290393/Judge-denies-Shirvell" rel='nofollow'>http://detnews.com/article/20110629/METRO/106290393/Judge-denies-Shirvell</a>'s-bid-to-have-videotaped-deposition-sealed#ixzz1QhOQkFDk Ironic is the right word - now the shoe is on the other foot and Shirvell suddenly feels he'll be 'annoyed', etc. for exactly what he was trying to do to Armstrong. Wonder what state he moved to and if he's working as a lawyer and for whom. Couldn't AA.com do a little research ? The Detroit News carried the ball this far.
amused1
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 10:31 p.m.
Babylon NY is right next to long standing gay resort area of Fire Island. Strange choice of locale for someone who "hates" gays.
Roadman
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.
He moved to Babylon, New York, according to the michigan Bar Directory