By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
EAST LANSING, MI –
An assistant state attorney general who has engaged in a controversial crusade against the University of Michigan's openly gay student body president has taken a leave of absence. Andrew Shirvell stepped down from his government job after he was officially barred from campus by the university.
Shirvell's boss is Attorney General Mike Cox. The attorney general initially said he could not do anything about Shirvell's off-duty behavior. Cox said Shirvell has free speech rights and civil service protections.
Cox says he has re-evaluated the situation, and Shirvell will face a disciplinary hearing if and when he returns to work.
"I don't to lead anyone to believe I've pre-judged the situation," he says. "Mr. Shirvell will get a hearing and he will have the ability to defend himself and if any punishment is meted out, we're going to make sure it's not based on any First Amendment-protected material."
Shirvell is also due in court Monday for a hearing on a restraining order that's been filed against him.