Unemployment OKed for fired state lawyer

LANSING (AP) -- A judge has ruled that a former Michigan assistant attorney general fired for misconduct should receive unemployment benefits. Andrew Shirvell was accused of stalking and harassing former University of Michigan student body president Chris Armstrong. A federal court jury earlier this year awarded Armstrong $4.5 million in his lawsuit against Shirvell, who was accused of harassing Armstrong and claiming he had a "radical homosexual agenda." Then-Attorney General Mike Cox fired Shirvell in 2010 after he criticized Armstrong. Shirvell's original request for unemployment benefits was denied because he was dismissed for misconduct. But Ingham County Judge Paula Manderfield last month ordered Shirvell to get unemployment benefits, claiming he "was fired for constitutionally protected speech" rather than misconduct. The Associated Press left a message with the attorney general's office last Thursday. Published: Mon, Nov 5, 2012