Trial to begin for fired FAU professor, Sandy Hook conspiracy theorist

James Tracy wrote on his personal blog in late 2012 that the federal government may have staged the Sandy Hook massacre as a way to pass gun control.

By Scott Travis

Sun Sentinel

In a case that could set a precedent related to free speech and tenure, a former Florida Atlantic University professor who claimed the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax will try to convince a jury he was fired because of his views.

James Tracy, who taught classes that included “Culture of Conspiracy,” brought unwanted attention to FAU with several high-profile conspiracy theories he wrote on his personal blog. He was fired as a tenured communications professor in January 2016.

His federal trial, which begins today in West Palm Beach, Florida, “may very well be the most important free speech case pending in the United States right now, at least with respect to the rights of tenured academics in American public universities,” wrote his lawyer, Louis Leo IV, on a blog for a group called the Florida Civil Rights Coalition.

“Professor Tracy looks forward to having his day in court and telling his side of the story,” Leo said.

FAU officials did not respond to a request for comment Monday.

James Tracy wrote on his personal blog in late 2012 that the federal government may have staged the Sandy Hook massacre in Newtown, Conn., as a way to pass gun control.

FAU ordered him to stop including his association with the university on his blog, which has claimed numerous other tragedies were hoaxes.

In late 2015, Tracy became engaged in a public feud with Lenny and Veronique Pozner, whose son, Noah, died at Sandy Hook. The professor accused them of “cashing in” on Sandy Hook and fabricating their son’s death certification, after they wrote an editorial in the Sun Sentinel accusing him of harassment.

Although FAU leaders privately expressed outrage about Tracy, a collective bargaining agreement with the faculty union generally protects professors from being fired for legal outside activities that are unrelated to their university duties. FAU officials ended up firing him for insubordination and circumvention of school policies.

According to a letter by FAU Vice Provost Diane Alperin, Tracy failed for three years straight to submit a “Report of Outside Employment or Professional Activity Form,” which is required of faculty. These forms generally list other jobs that faculty members have, such as teaching at other universities, or even unpaid activities that could conflict with their FAU duties.

Tracy “was repeatedly warned that this failure to follow policy would result in disciplinary action, including possible termination,” FAU lawyers wrote in court papers, adding Tracy’s “belligerent,rebellious conduct was deliberate and intentional.”

FAU officials have argued in court papers that his blog writing overlapped with work for FAU and that he used FAU resources. Tracy contends he blogged from home during personal time on his personal computer.

Tracy’s lawyer argues that Tracy was fired because of FAU’s discomfort with his views.

“They used the policy because they didn’t like what the plaintiff was saying, ” Leo told Judge Robin Rosenberg in December 2016. “This policy became a vessel to trample on his constitutional rights.”

FAU maintains that it “embraces and endorses free speech,” according to court papers.

The trial is expected to last eight days and will include testimony from Tracy and more than 20 other witnesses, mostly FAU professors and administrators.