Former university chancellor sues UNC system over his exit

CHAPEL HILL, NC (AP) — The former chancellor of East Carolina University has sued the University of North Carolina system over his departure.

The News & Observer reports a lawsuit filed by former Chancellor Cecil Staton says his exit from his job last year was the result of a vendetta by a school official.

Staton says the issue between him and Harry Smith, university system’s former board of governors chairman, resulted from his refusal to accept Smith’s business proposal about off-campus student housing.

The lawsuit filed this month also alleges Smith and others disseminated a dossier that hurt Staton’s chances at getting another job. Smith has denied the allegations.