Current:Home > MarketsFormer Wisconsin college chancellor fired over porn career is fighting to keep his faculty post-LoTradeCoin
Former Wisconsin college chancellor fired over porn career is fighting to keep his faculty post
View Date:2024-12-24 00:43:25
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s top official has taken the first steps toward removing a faculty member who was earlier fired from his job as chancellor over his fledgling porn career.
The former chancellor, Joe Gow, said Wednesday that interim Chancellor Betsy Morgan filed three charges against him March 29, accusing him of unethical conduct, failing to cooperate with an investigation, and using UW-La Crosse computers to produce pornographic materials.
Gow declined to share a letter from Morgan detailing the charges, saying he didn’t want to look as though he is trying to play out his case in the media.
But he said the ethics charge may be connected to his writings in two pornographic e-books. He declined to go into detail. The allegation of failure to cooperate stems from his refusal to speak to an outside law firm investigating the matter without an attorney, he said. He denied using any UW state-owned equipment or state dollars to produce porn.
Spokespeople from UW-La Crosse didn’t respond to emails Wednesday seeking comment and details of the charges. Mark Pitsch, a spokesperson for the UW system, declined to comment.
Gow said he has requested a hearing before a faculty committee, as is his right under state law. The committee would recommend to the Board of Regents, the UW system’s governing body, whether he can keep his backup job as a tenured communications professor. The board would make the final decision on whether he can stay on.
The regents fired Gow from the chancellor post in December after learning he and his wife, former UW-La Crosse professor Carmen Wilson, were producing and starring in pornographic videos. They also wrote two e-books titled “Monogamy with Benefits: How Porn Enriches Our Relationship” and “Married with Benefits — Our Real-Life Adult Industry Adventures” under pseudonyms.
Gow had planned to retire as chancellor at the conclusion of the spring 2024 semester and transition into a role teaching communication courses. But Jay Rothman, president of the UW system, put that on hold until his tenure could be reviewed.
Gow has maintained he and his wife produced the pornographic materials on their own time. He insists that the videos and the books never mentioned UW-La Crosse or his role at the university and that the regents violated his free speech rights when they fired him.
The faculty committee hearing has yet to be scheduled, Gow said, but he is anxious to clear his name. Students have told him that they think he’s a great person and that they’re eager to take his courses, he said.
“It is really hard to be treated like a criminal when you haven’t done anything wrong,” Gow said. “I really am curious how the administration is going to prove I did anything wrong.”
The regents hired James Beeby, provost at New Hampshire’s Keene State College, last month to succeed Gow as chancellor. Morgan was one of three finalists, along with Beeby and Indiana State University Provost Christopher Olsen.
veryGood! (67)
Related
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones responds to CeeDee Lamb's excuse about curtains at AT&T Stadium
- Trader Joe's recalls multigrain crackers after metal was found
- 37 Cheap Finds That Will Make Your Outfit Look Expensive
- Planning a long-haul flight? Here's how to outsmart jet lag
- Democrat Ruben Gallego wins Arizona US Senate race against Republican Kari Lake
- Fish found on transformer after New Jersey power outage -- officials suspect bird dropped it
- Blake Lively, Zoey Deutch and More Stars You Didn’t Know Have Famous Relatives
- A former New York bishop has died at 84. He promoted social justice, but covered up rape allegations
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, 4G
- 'The next Maui could be anywhere': Hawaii tragedy points to US wildfire vulnerability
Ranking
- Congress heard more testimony about UFOs: Here are the biggest revelations
- Washington state wildfire leaves at least one dead, 185 structures destroyed
- Climate and change? Warm weather, cost of living driving Americans on the move, study shows
- Georgia football has its starting QB. Carson Beck has the job of replacing Stetson Bennett
- NFL Week 10 injury report: Live updates on active, inactive players for Sunday's games
- Japan’s Kishida to visit Fukushima plant to highlight safety before start of treated water release
- Kelly Clarkson's Kids River and Remy Makes Surprise Appearance Onstage at Las Vegas Show
- Washington state wildfire leaves at least one dead, 185 structures destroyed
Recommendation
-
Why have wildfires been erupting across the East Coast this fall?
-
Sweltering temperatures bring misery to large portion of central U.S., setting some heat records
-
Two people die in swimming portion of Ironman Cork triathlon competition in Ireland
-
Regional delegation meets Niger junta leader, deposed president in effort to resolve crisis
-
Jordan Chiles Reveals She Still Has Bronze Medal in Emotional Update After 2024 Olympics Controversy
-
Kids Again: MLB makes strides in attracting younger fans, ticket buyers in growing the game
-
Trader Joe's recalls multigrain crackers after metal was found
-
U.S., Japan and Australia to hold joint drills as tensions rise in South China Sea