Mich. Lawyer's Firing Over Anti-Gay Remarks Upheld

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A state hearing officer has upheld the 2010 firing of an assistant attorney general who was accused of harassing the gay student government president at the University of Michigan.

William Hutchens of the Michigan Civil Service Commission says Andrew Shirvell was justly dismissed. He says the attorney engaged in "hate speech" on a blog and "physical and mental harassment."

Shirvell was fired by then-Attorney General Mike Cox in November 2010. He appealed, saying his conduct toward Christopher Armstrong was protected by the First Amendment. But the hearing officer says Shirvell's actions, even in his off hours, put his office in a bad light and could have discouraged people from working there.

Hutchens' decision is dated March 21. Shirvell's lawyer says the decision will be appealed.