A former St. John's University School of Law student is suing the university for expelling him for selling LSD and ecstasy to an undercover officer more than a decade ago, reports the New York Post.
David Powers, who took a leave of absence from the university to manage an investment fund in Hong Kong, was inquiring into whether or not the conviction -- which had been wiped from his record -- would stand in the way of his becoming a lawyer. After communicating with the Appellate Division's Committee on Character and Fitness, he asked St. John's to submit a letter of support on his behalf. The university refused, and later informed Powers that he would not be allowed to complete his three remaining semesters at the law school.
In an e-mail, St. John's Assistant Dean of Students Katherine Sullivan told Powers that "information that you now provide in your [application']...was not included in your [admission] application." The New York Daily News adds that she also wrote, "there is a potential misconduct issue that requires your attention."
Now, Powers is claiming that St. John's had no right to dismiss him. He says that the university did not ask for details regarding his crime when he applied, even though he had mentioned pleading guilty to drug possession in his application. He told the Daily News that he took the university's offering a $20,000 annual scholarship as a sign that they wanted him at the school.
The university has no comment at this time.
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