Judge removes University of New Brunswick from U.S. state senator’s defamation suit

CANADA Judge removes University of New Brunswick from U.S. state senator’s defamation suit By Staff The Canadian Press Posted September 24, 2026 12:07 pm 1 min read View image in full screen Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Franklin, takes part in a forum in Camp Hill, Pa., April 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Matt Rourke. MR LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE An Oklahoma judge has removed the University of New Brunswick as a defendant in a defamation lawsuit filed by a Pennsylvania state senator with ties to U.S. President Donald Trump. Sen. Doug Mastriano alleged defamation, racketeering, antitrust and other claims against UNB and almost two dozen academics in 2024 over criticism of his academic research into First World War hero Sgt. Alvin York. The university granted Mastriano a doctorate for his research in 2013. Get daily Montreal news Get daily Montreal news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories. SIGN UP FOR DAILY MONTREAL NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO GLOBAL NEWS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY. Mastriano attracted headlines in 2022 when Trump backed him for Pennsylvania governor during the senator’s unsuccessful campaign in 2022. In the 2024 lawsuit, Mastriano was seeking millions of dollars in damages, claiming criticism of his research at the university cost him income from tourism-related events, as well as book, media, television and movie deals. MORE ON CANADA MORE VIDEOS OpenAI’s agent hacked an Australian government website. What we know so far Starbucks to close 250 more stores in Canada and the U.S. ‘God cleaned the slate’: Ashes pave the road to recovery after B.C. wildfires Global Business Forum kicks off in Banff, Alta. under theme ‘thriving in chaos’ The university successfully argued that it was immune from the jurisdiction of the U.S. district court for the western district of Oklahoma because the school is an “organ of a foreign state.” STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT Mastriano argued there were numerous exemptions to UNB’s immunity, but the judge disagreed and dismissed the case against the school. Mastriano and UNB did not immediately responded to requests for comment. — With files from The Associated Press.  Stick to the Facts Add Global News as a Preferred Source…