Billy McFarland “vindicated” State Court of Appeals dismisses lawsuit against him; judge says interactions were between “two consenting adults”
The legal proceedings that have dragged on since November 2018 against James William “Billy” McFarland Jr. have finally concluded. The Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court issued a summary judgment last month that McFarland had not committed an invasion of privacy by contacting the then-19-year-old student with offerings of cash for sexual role play, Tuscaloosa News reported. McFarland was accused of sexually harassing Alexis Burt, a former student at the now-closed Judson College. At the time of the accusations, McFarland was Special Assistant to the President for Business Development. Burt’s civil complaint was taken in 2019 to state court after the federal complaint was dismissed. Burt accused McFarland of making inappropriate advances toward her through Facebook Messenger. “McFarland solicited Burt for sexual favors in exchange for money …,” the 2019 suit said. On March 19, Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruet said McFarland’s actions did appear inappropriate but determined they did not violate any Alabama law. The judge ruled that McFarland and Burt’s conversations were between legal-age adults. “Based on submissions made by the parties in opposition to and support of summary judgment, it can be said that the defendant acted inappropriately in his dealings with the plaintiff. He used language, made demands, and described acts that would shock the most hardened amongst us when viewed in the light of the parties’ respective ages, lack of previous relationship, and the defendant’s having until shortly before the relevant time been employed at the plaintiff’s college,” Pruet’s ruling stated. “The submissions to the court may suggest that the defendant may have acted in a shameful manner, but it is not for this court to regulate matters of .. (conscience) if those matters do not run afoul of our laws. … “There is no evidence before the court that the defendant ignored the plaintiff’s request to leave her alone, or that she even made such a request. The submissions of the parties reveal a conversation between two consenting adults.” McFarland expressed relief to be vindicated finally. “It has now been shown that these lawsuits were without merit, and I have been vindicated through the judicial system,” McFarland said in a statement to The Tuscaloosa News. “Given the outcome of these cases, my name has been cleared, and I feel vindicated for standing my ground.” McFarland requested to seal the court record from public view. However, Pruet denied that request. McFarland said he isn’t through with the fight to clear his name. “It has now been shown that these lawsuits were completely without merit from the start,” McFarland stated. “Since the fall of 2018, I have suffered unjust and contrived attacks on my character. “I feel that these civil actions were nothing more than an improper attempt to gain a monetary settlement, due to my success in business, by causing me unwarranted embarrassment and humiliation.”
