NEWARK, NJ — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former university professor who claimed his free-speech rights were violated after he was fired for praising Adolf Hitler and making controversial remarks.
U.S. District Judge William Martini ruled that Jason Reza Jorjani failed to prove that the New Jersey Institute of Technology unlawfully retaliated against him when it chose not to renew his contract in 2018. The decision ends a years-long legal battle and was issued with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be refiled.
Jorjani, a non-tenured lecturer, was placed on leave after public reports revealed comments he made off campus in 2017, including praise of Hitler and remarks related to race, immigration, and politics. The controversy sparked backlash within the university community, which includes a diverse student population.
While acknowledging that recent court decisions have expanded protections for controversial speech, the judge noted that at the time of Jorjani’s dismissal, legal precedent, particularly in the Third Circuit, did not clearly protect such extramural speech, especially when it caused disruption.
The court also granted qualified immunity to university officials, shielding them from liability for actions taken in their official roles.
University representatives said they were pleased with the outcome, bringing the case to a close.
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