In the early goings of a Monday hearing involving an LSU law professor’s lawsuit against the university, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry was ordered to produce text messages between him and several LSU officials.
LSU law professor Ken Levy was removed from teaching class on Jan. 21 because of political comments made in front of students. He filed a lawsuit days later.
Levy’s team subpoenaed the governor for text messages between him and LSU President Tate and Law School Dean Alena Allen, among others, in the aftermath of Levy’s comments.
Landry’s office filed a motion to quash the subpoena on the grounds that the governor is privileged against subpoenas by a Louisiana statute. The motion was denied by Judge Tarvald Smith, compelling Landry to produce the records.
Landry’s lawyer said he wasn’t sure if any such text messages existed, but that the office would look into it and produce the records if they did. Within the hour, he produced two pages’ worth of text messages. The contents of the messages and with whom the messages were exchanged was not publicly disclosed.
Landry has been outspoken in the past against LSU professors who’ve been politically vocal and has made public comments on social media about Levy.