Material in Pennsylvania Sen. Douglas Mastriano’s Lawsuit Related to His Ph.D. Thesis Should Be Unsealed
From Mastriano v. Gregory, decided today by Judge Stephen Friot (W.D. Okla.):
[1.] Eugene Volokh (Volokh), an emeritus law professor, who writes a legal blog hosted by Reason Magazine, has moved to intervene in this case and to unseal two exhibits of the recently filed complaint….
According to the complaint, Mastriano is a retired U.S. Army colonel, a recipient in 2013 of a Ph.D. in military history from the University of New Brunswick, Canada (UNB), a former Army War College professor, a published author of books on Sergeant Alvin York and the World War I conflict in France, and a public speaker on military history. He alleges that he is also a current State Senator for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s 33rd District. He was the 2022 Republican nominee for Pennsylvania governor and, by his account, at least, was considered the frontrunner for the 2024 United States Senate seat for Pennsylvania.
In his complaint, Mastriano alleges, among other things, claims of civil racketeering, anti-trust violations, fraud, and defamation against the University of New Brunswick (UNB), UNB’s president, vice-president, dean of graduate studies, and several history professors, faculty or instructors, the National Research Council of Canada and its research officer, members of an investigatory commission tasked with looking into Mastriano’s Ph.D. work, and a graduate student and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Oklahoma.
Mastriano specifically alleges that the graduate student, James Gregory III, made fraudulent statements to the press about Mastriano’s books and Ph.D. thesis and filed fraudulent complaints with UNB seeking to debunk his Ph.D. thesis, to cancel his books and to cancel his historical authority in the field of World War I history. Mastriano also specifically alleges that the UNB professors, faculty or instructors signed and publicly issued a letter defaming Mastriano, depriving him of his intangible property interest in his Ph.D., books and speaking engagements and interfering with his elected position and candidacies.
Exhibit no. 2 to Mastriano’s complaint is a redacted Insider Higher Ed article written by Katherine Knott in 2022. It concerns criticism of Mastriano, who was then running for Pennsylvania governor. The exhibit is referenced with respect to the allegations of fraudulent statements made by Gregory to the press. Exhibit no. 4 to the complaint is the letter signed and publicly issued by UNB professors, faculty or instructors which Mastriano claims defamed him. It is specifically referenced in paragraphs 17, 24, 34, and 125 of the complaint. Upon request of Mastriano, exhibit no. 4 was filed under seal.
Volokh seeks to intervene pursuant to Rule 24(b), Fed. R. Civ. P., for the purpose of unsealing exhibit nos. 2 and 4. According to Volokh,
Article from Latest
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.