Last week, the University of Nevada, Reno, fired and banned from campus an animal nutrition researcher, according to a university spokesperson.

Hussein Hussein, associate professor in the department of animal biotechnology, told the Reno-Gazette Journal: "I was fired by President (Milton) Glick and escorted from my office by campus police as if I were a criminal." Hussein also said he believed he was fired in retaliation for whistle blowing improper treatment of animals at the College of Agriculture in 2005. The university paid $11,400 in fees and received 46 citations from the US Department of Agriculture for improper animal care and procedure documentation.

"I would say the decision [to fire him] does not relate to what he said," communications officer Jane Tors told The Scientist in response to the accusation of retaliation. Glick sent Hussein the letter of dismissal upon recommendation from the faculty, Tors added. She said she could not comment further because it is a personnel matter and is confidential.

The university conducted a disciplinary hearing last month to investigate allegations that Hussein had plagiarized work done by his graduate students and kept research money that should have gone to the university.

The hearing officer determined that Hussein had concealed more than $300,000 in funds that should have gone to the University, but that he was not guilty of plagiarism and did not deserve to be fired.

Hussein's lawyer told the Reno-Gazette Journal that they are filing for an appeal with the Nevada Board of Regents, possibly to be heard at a June 12 meeting in Reno.

Hat tip to The Chronicle of Higher Education for its continual coverage of this story.