Former CFCC president sues Board of Trustees

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Former CFCC President Ted Spring has filed a lawsuit against the college’s Board of Trustees.

Spring resigned in January, but did so, he claims, under improper pressure. In his lawsuit, he says he wants his job back along with damages of at least $25,000 plus attorney fees.

The suit argues Spring expected a renewal of his contract after getting a satisfactory review from board chair Jason Harris, who also publicly lauded Spring and even called him a “rockstar.”

Spring claims in the suit that Harris told him in a closed session of the board Jan. 22 that he needed to resign immediately or be fired in open session. He says Harris’s only reason was “you did not do what we asked you to do.” Spring claims under his employment agreement, the trustees had no right to fire him that night and knew it.

Click here to see the whole lawsuit

The lawsuit describes Spring as “a whistleblower and staunch opponent of academic fraud and unethical practices in higher education.” It says Spring was fired from his job at an Alabama’s Shelton State Community College “after having exposed and reported illegal and unethical behavior, including academic fraud.” He later sued that school and won $2.5 million in damages. More than a dozen people tied to the school pleaded guilty or were convicted or indicted in a probe, the lawsuit says.

According to the suit, CFCC trustees knew all this and that Spring would not bend to political pressure or distractions.

Spring’s lawsuit specifically calls out trustee and New Hanover County Commissioner Woody White by mentioning “his radical political and social views” and for bringing “these politically self-serving views to the CFCC Board, joined by other members with similar political and social views.” It described White as believe “himself akin to a ‘Super Board Member,'” because he is also a commissioner, which has say over CFCC funding. It goes on to describe White as a “the epitome of a rogue trustee” for the way White behaved regarding school issues, including publicly-approved projects and spending. Spring also claims White made threats toward him and his staff.

The suit alleges that when Harris became chair, Spring told him of the threats, but did not do anything because of the personal friendship and political relationship between Harris and White.

In his suit, Spring claims that the board would not allow him to respond to media reports about his spending on behalf of the college, nor would Harris speak on his behalf to the media.

When reached this afternoon, Harris said he could not comment on the situation.

White sent WWAY a statement via text.

“Thankfully, the legal process affords a chance for both stories to be told,” he wrote. “I will never back down from asking tough questions about taxpayers money.”