Ex-state assistant AG sues Mike Cox, others

DETROIT (AP) -- A former lawyer for the state of Michigan who was fired after expressing hostility toward gay University of Michigan student government president Chris Armstrong has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the state's current attorney general and his predecessor. Andrew Shirvell's federal suit filed last Thursday names as defendants Mike Cox, the previous AG who fired him in 2010, as well as current Attorney General Bill Schuette and four others. Shirvell is seeking a monetary award and his job back. Cox says he hasn't read the lawsuit, but is "certain it is a joke because" Shirvell "was terminated for ridiculously warped conduct unbecoming a lawyer and a public servant." Schuette spokeswoman Joy Yearout says she has no comment. A jury last year awarded Armstrong $4.5 million in his lawsuit against Shirvell. Published: Tue, Nov 12, 2013