May 19, 2013
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Alabama State University trustees say they won't decide the fate of the school's suspended president because his mother died.
Kenneth Thomas, an ASU lawyer, has said that Silver sent letters by email telling the administrators they were being fired. Thomas says the emails were sent via cell phone on Monday during a meeting where a committee of the Board of Trustees placed Silver on paid administrative leave. According to Thomas the phone notifications don't align with state and federal due process requirements and are, therefore, invalid.
Joseph Silver's mother died Thursday night. Trustees had planned to discuss Silver at their Friday morning meeting.
Silver contends he was suspended after raising questions about financial matters at the Montgomery school, including concerns about undisclosed contracts. Silver tried to fire two top university officials.
ASU officials have denied any financial wrongdoing at the school.
Silver previously served as Provost of Clark Atlanta University.
