District Judge Janice Clark said the University Board of Supervisors will face serious consequences if it does not comply with her order to turn over records from the search for a new president at a hearing Monday, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune reported.
If the records are not turned over, the Board could be suspended from convening or even thrown in prison, Clark said.
Clark ordered the University to turn over the names of applicants in the search that resulted in the recommendation of F. King Alexander for the newly created president position in April, as a result of the joint lawsuit by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune and The Advocate.
The attorneys for the plaintiffs and the University will meet with Clark again at 9:30 a.m. today at the 19th Judicial District Court, when Clark will determine if the University has plans to comply with
her orders.
Clark ruled the University was in contempt of court in August after it failed to turn over the information, and imposed a $500-per-day fine from the day Clark made her first ruling in April. The fine now totals approximately $60,000.
Jimmy Faircloth, the University’s attorney, argued at the hearing that the Board intends to appeal Clark’s April ruling, so the judge should not act until the appeal has been heard.
The Louisiana Supreme Court declined to hear the University’s appeal of Clark’s ruling Aug. 29, and denied the University’s request for a stay, which would have meant it would not have to pay the fine for contempt.
The attorneys disagreed about what the Supreme Court’s decision would mean for the case.
Faircloth said at the time, the decision was merely a matter of court procedure, while Loretta Mince, attorney for The Advocate and NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, said it would mean the Board would have no choice but to produce the names.names.
In July, the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal denied to hear the University’s appeal of Clark’s original ruling.