Supreme Court rules against Georgia in lawsuit strategy case

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court ruled Monday that states cannot dodge state court lawsuits by getting them moved to federal court where they are then dismissed. <br> <br> The unanimous ruling slapped down Georgia for its handling of a college professor&#39;s slander lawsuit. The decision should make it easier for people to sue states. <br> <br> Paul Lapides, a management professor at Kennesaw State University, filed his suit in state court. Georgia had part of the case transferred to federal court, then asked for the case&#39;s dismissal because the Constitution limits federal lawsuits against state governments. <br> <br> Justice Stephen Breyer said from the bench that ``all kinds of unfair results could take place if that were permitted.&#39;&#39; The court overturned a decision in Georgia&#39;s favor by the Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. <br> <br> Lapides claims college leaders used groundless sexual harassment allegations to hurt his reputation. He said leaders at the college near Atlanta discriminate against Jewish and black professors. <br> <br> Georgia attorneys had said they were trying to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. <br> <br> The Supreme Court found that Georgia, by requesting the federal court venue, waived its Eleventh Amendment protection from federal lawsuits by citizens.