If you follow New Brunswick educational institutions, you will find this cross border legal battle interesting.

An Oklahoma judge removed the University of New Brunswick from a defamation lawsuit filed by a Pennsylvania state senator. Sen. Doug Mastriano originally filed the suit against UNB and nearly two dozen academics in 2024.

The Root of the Lawsuit

Mastriano claimed the university and researchers engaged in racketeering and antitrust violations. He alleged they coordinated an effort to destroy his academic reputation and interfere with his political campaigns. The dispute centers on his academic research into American First World War hero Sgt. Alvin York. UNB granted Mastriano a doctorate for this research in 2013.

The controversy began in 2022. Scholars found factual errors and amateurish archeology in his doctoral dissertation. Following these reports, UNB launched an independent review into how he received his degree. Mastriano claimed this criticism cost him millions of dollars in damages. He pointed to lost income from tourism related events, book sales, and television deals.

The Legal Ruling

District Court Judge Bernard M. Jones II dismissed the case against the school on September 1. UNB successfully argued it holds immunity from the US district court in Oklahoma because it operates as an organ of a foreign state. The judge noted the provincial government actively supervises the university and classifies its staff as public employees.

The judge also dismissed personal claims against the Canadian academics. He stated the court lacks jurisdiction because the academics are Canadian citizens with no evidence of contact with Oklahoma.

According to a report from CTV News Atlantic, Mastriano did not respond to requests for comment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Doug Mastriano sue the University of New Brunswick?

Mastriano sued UNB after scholars criticized his 2013 doctoral dissertation for factual errors. He claimed the university tried to ruin his academic reputation and hurt his political career.

Why did the judge dismiss the lawsuit against UNB?

The judge ruled that UNB is an organ of a foreign state. This status grants the university immunity from the jurisdiction of the US district court in Oklahoma.

Were individual academics also sued?

Yes. Mastriano sued several academics, including former UNB president Paul Mazerolle. The judge dismissed these claims due to a lack of jurisdiction over Canadian citizens.