Frohnmayer threatens defamation suit

6/9/2011: UO Matters has put up a few posts about the SOS Audit Division investigation of UO President Emeritus Dave Frohnmayer's peculiar golden parachute contracts with OUS and UO. Now he's threatening us with a defamation lawsuit and "a claim for punitive damages."

From: "Dave Frohnmayer"
Date: June 8, 2011 3:16:49 PM PDT
To: (Professor X)

Subject: Re: public records request, Frohnmayer, Grier contracts and job descriptions

Dear Professor X and Colleagues: A cursory call to the Oregon Secretary of State confirms that the Audits Division is NOT "currently investigating" my contractual arrangements. Professor X's  assertion, as he has communicated it, is actionable as defamation per se, and in view of his  course of conduct in recent years, likely subject to proof of actual malice that could justify a claim for punitive damages. Dave Frohnmayer

Sent from my iPhone

Dave's an awesome texter, for an old guy. I'd have cooled off and thought better of sending this before I'd pecked out half as much spittle.

Update: In fairness to Frohnmayer, from what I've been able to piece together on this so far it appears the Audit Division had not told him they were looking into his contracts. They also apparently hadn't told Secretary of State Kate Brown. So, presumably, when Dave called her she said something like "I've never heard of this" and he ran with that.

An honest mistake, and UO Matters has no plans to seek punitive damages from Professor Frohnmayer, despite his course of conduct in recent years. We just want him to explain his special retirement and sabbatical deals, and repay the retroactive summer salary Russ gave him.