Meyer takes Iowa lawsuit to federal court

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The former top-ranked female administrator for the University of Iowa athletic department has taken her lawsuit against the school from state to federal court.

Jane Meyer filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday accusing the school, athletic director Gary Barta and the Iowa Board of Regents of violating her First Amendment and Title IX rights.

Meyer said that discovery and deposition testimony in her state-level case led her to believe that Barta's decision to remove her from the athletic department was made only after Meyer had presented Barta a memo in which she complained about gender equity, equal pay and retaliation against her and others.

University spokeswoman Jeneane Beck says the school has yet to be served the new lawsuit and deferred to a previous statement regarding Meyer's state suit.

According to that statement, the school denied retaliating against Meyer with her reassignment and notice of termination. Iowa said it encouraged Meyer to apply for a new position within the university.