Joshua Wright, a former George Mason University law professor and ex-Federal Trade Commission (FTC) member, has officially withdrawn his lawsuit against the university, ending over a year of contentious legal battles.
The lawsuit, filed in November 2023, stemmed from George Mason’s investigation into allegations that Wright used his position at the Antonin Scalia Law School to pursue inappropriate relationships with students. According to court records, the case was dismissed on November 27, with both Wright and the university agreeing to bear their own legal costs. The stipulation, signed by U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles, did not disclose whether a settlement was reached.
Wright, who taught intermittently at the university from 2004 until his resignation in 2023, faced allegations of sexual misconduct from multiple women. Central to the case was a Title IX complaint filed in 2021 by Elyse Dorsey, a former law student and current partner at Kirkland & Ellis. Dorsey accused Wright of sexual assault early in their relationship, which began in 2010 and spanned over a decade, and claimed he used his influence to sabotage her professional opportunities.
In response, Wright filed a counterclaim against Dorsey in 2022, alleging that she had harassed and retaliated against him at the end of what he described as a consensual relationship. The university dismissed Wright’s complaint, asserting that Dorsey, as a non-employee, did not fall under Title IX’s jurisdiction. Wright argued this constituted sex-based discrimination and launched a lawsuit against the university.
In September 2023, a federal judge allowed George Mason University to proceed with its investigation into Wright but refrained from dismissing his lawsuit. However, the university subsequently argued that its investigation had concluded, urging the court to dismiss the case entirely. With the recent dismissal, the university’s legal battle with Wright appears to have reached its conclusion.
Dorsey expressed support for the university’s handling of the matter, stating in an email that George Mason “chose to protect its students rather than cave to Wright’s frivolous threats.”
Wright’s legal representative, as well as spokespeople for the university, declined to comment on the dismissal.
Wright’s tenure at the FTC (2013–2015) and his academic career have been overshadowed by these allegations. His case underscores the ongoing challenges institutions face in addressing power dynamics and misconduct in academia. It also highlights the complex interplay between Title IX protections and employment status in addressing allegations of misconduct.
With this legal chapter now closed, questions remain about the broader cultural and legal implications for universities navigating similar cases in the future.
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