Former ASU Student Sues School

Tonight, we have a correction and retraction we’d like to make. In December, we broadcast a story about a federal lawsuit in which former Alcorn State basketball player Rudy Chestang alleged that Alcorn State Professor Alvin Simpson had violated his civil rights by sexually harassing him. Simpson denies harassing Chestang and claims Alcorn State officials dismissed Chestang's complaint. The claims against Simpson in the lawsuit have been dismissed with prejudice and under Court rules can’t be refiled. Chestang's claims against Alcorn State could be refiled. We should have mentioned this in our earlier story. We apologize for the oversight. 

Lorman- Rudy Chestang, 25, says a teacher sexually harassed him. 

Chestang says he began classes at the school in Fall 2005. In Spring 2008, he signed up to take Black Psychology with Dr. Alvin Simpson. He says Simpson soon started making suggestive comments and rubbing up against him. He says Simpson even asked for oral sex in exchange for a good grade.

Chestang says he started to record telephone conversations and took his accusations to the school. He says school officials never got back with him and that's when he filed a lawsuit and left the school.

A federal court judge recently dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice, allowing Chestang to file again. The judge says Chestang and his lawyer were late in filing certain legal paperwork. Chestang says he and his lawyer plan to re-file the lawsuit. He also presented the audio tapes in court, but a judge says it wasn't enough to prove sexual harrasment.

Simpson's lawyer, Alan Purdie, says there's a lack of evidence in the case and that his client is still employed with the school.

We contacted ASU officals but was told they couldn't coment until the president returns from out of town.

Chestang says he needed Simpson's class to play basketball at the school. He says he has hopes to play for the pros. He now splits his time between California and Las Vegas.