Brown Rape Case Can Continue, Judge Says

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (CN) - A student at Brown University who says he was falsely accused of raping a female classmate can move ahead with his lawsuit, a federal judge ruled.

William McCormick III sued the Ivy League school in federal court, claiming the university failed to investigate false allegations of a sexual assault filed by a student whose father is a prominent Brown alumnus and donor.

The girl accused McCormick of stalking her as freshmen. She later accused him of raping her in a dorm room in 2006 while she tried to study.

McCormick says he was removed from campus after the accusations were made, and that he lost his full athletic scholarship.

McCormick maintained his innocence, but agreed to leave school as part of a confidential agreement with the girl's family. In exchange, the girl agreed not to pursue a criminal complaint.

U.S. District judge William Smith left intact McCormick's claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence against 15 plaintiffs, including Brown President Ruth Simmons. He dismissed, however, claims of false imprisonment and libel.

"The court is satisfied that William has alleged a pattern of wrongful conduct based on the collective actions of the agents of Brown University that, if proven, could be considered outrageous, atrocious or utterly intolerable conduct."

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