Detroit (AP) – A judge dismissed the lawsuit Monday by a highly acclaimed opera singer who sued the University of Michigan His dismissal of what the school deemed sexual misconduct.
David Daniels was waiting too long to sue the university, said U.S. District Judge Sean Cox.
Daniels, 58, was hired as a vocal professor in 2015 and three years later accepted his tenure in music, theater and dance schools. He was fired in 2020 After the investigation was revealed, he recruited at least three students and shared a sexually explicit video with one, officials said.
Separately, Daniels and his husband, Scott Walters; Plead guilty to sexual assault in 2023 He was placed on probation in Texas. A graduate student at Rice University said that after the couple met at the reception at the Houston Grand Opera, they drugged and sexually assaulted him a few years ago.
Daniels alleged that his rights were violated during the process that led to his dismissal of the University of Michigan. The school denied it and noted that he was represented by a lawyer.
In a court filing, the university said waiting more than three years to sue is “unforgivable neglect” by Daniels or “strategic decisions.”
Daniels’ attorney Francine Stacey said the Texas criminal case presented “exceptional circumstances.”
Daniels also sued the student who accused him of sexual misconduct. Federal judge Cox also dismissed those claims, saying it was based on state law and not federal law.
Daniels performed at the Metropolitan Opera, the Lyric Opera in Chicago, and the San Francisco Opera.
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