UGA ordered to clear ex-journalism dean

A federal judge has ruled that a former University of Georgia journalism school dean should be cleared of sexual harassment charges.

In an order signed Monday, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Marvin Shoob directed UGA to expunge from John Soloski’s personnel records that he violated the school’s harassment policies.

Shoob adopted recommendations by U.S. Magistrate Christopher Hagy, who found UGA failed “spectacularly” to meet the legal threshold to prove sexual harassment.

Separately, Shoob dismissed 10 other counts, including breach of contract and due process claims, raised by Soloski, a UGA journalism professor. Shoob did not rule on an invasion of privacy claim.

UGA spokesman Tom Jackson said the school was satisfied Shoob dismissed most of Soloski’s claims and would preserve its right to appeal the others.

In a statement, Soloski said his 2006 lawsuit has always been about clearing his name. He said he hopes UGA President Michael Adams will “finally admit … UGA falsely accused me of misconduct and retaliated against me.”