Professor fired over Nazi satire video can proceed with suit

SCRANTON, Pa. – A professor can proceed with his federal lawsuit against a Pennsylvania university that fired him after he posted a satirical video depicting its administrators as Nazis.

The Scranton Times-Tribune reports Frederick Fagal sued Marywood University in 2014 over his firing two years earlier.

The video spoofed a scene in the 2004 German film “Downfall.” Court documents say Fagal added English subtitles depicting the university’s president and other administrators as Nazis discussing rape plots.

Fagal acknowledges he made the video but argues the university didn’t follow policy by giving him a warning before firing him. He seeks back pay and reinstatement.

Attorneys for the university and Fagal asked District Judge A. Richard Caputo to decide the case in their favour to avoid a trial.

The judge denied both motions this week, saying a jury should decide.

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Information from: The Times-Tribune, http://thetimes-tribune.com/