LANSING, Mich. — An assistant state attorney general accused of harassing the gay student assembly president at the University of Michigan was fired Monday.

Andrew Shirvell, 30, went on leave about a month ago after national criticism erupted over his blog Chris Armstrong Watch, in which he characterized the student leader as a “racist” and a “liar” who promoted a “radical homosexual agenda.”

Shirvell’s attorney has said his actions were constitutionally protected as free speech. Shirvell had attended the first day of a disciplinary hearing Friday and expected that hearing to continue later this week, but then was called in and fired.

State Attorney General Mike Cox said the firing came after a state probe revealed Shirvell “repeatedly violated office policies, engaged in borderline stalking behavior and inappropriately used state resources.”

“I refuse to fire anyone for exercising their First Amendment rights,” Cox said in a statement.

But he said Shirvell’s conduct went beyond free speech when he showed up three separate times outside Armstrong’s Ann Arbor home, including once at 1:30 a.m. “That incident is especially telling because it clearly was about harassing Mr. Armstrong, not engaging in free speech,” Cox said.

Armstrong, 21, has accused Shirvell of videotaping a late-night party at his house, showing up at campus appearances with a sign that read “racist” and “liar,” and lambasting him on his blog.

Armstrong had filed for a personal protection order against Shirvell but withdrew that request late last month.

Shirvell’s lawyer, Philip Thomas, said his client has not yet decided if he will appeal the decision to the Michigan Civil Service Commission. “It was very obvious something political had occurred,” Thomas said.

Cox said the investigation found that Shirvell made many calls to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office while Armstrong was an intern there “in an attempt to slander Armstrong – and ultimately attempting to cause Pelosi to fire Armstrong.”

The investigation revealed that while at work, Shirvell called Pelosi’s office and posted attacks on Armstrong online.

Copy the Story Link