U-of-M Ex-Golf Director Dismissed from Lawsuit

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Court of Appeals says a former golf coach at the University of Minnesota who alleges discrimination based on her sexual orientation cannot sue her ex-supervisor.

The appeals ruling reverses a decision from a Hennepin County District Court judge who refused to dismiss former golf director John Harris from a lawsuit filed by Kathryn Brenny. The appeals judges ruled Harris cannot be held liable because his actions fell within his duties at the university.

The Star Tribune says the lawsuit alleges Harris stripped Brenny of her duties as a coach after he found out she's a lesbian. Brenny's attorneys argued Harris' alleged interference with her job was motivated by "malice and bad faith" which took him outside the scope of his employment.

Brenny's lawsuit against the university is pending.

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