The lawsuit brought against Bob Jackson, former Murray State president, by Ali Khatib, Student Government Association president and student regent, has been settled.

Khatib and Jesus Figueroa Martinez, Racer Academy student, sued Jackson after the SGA Judicial Board dissolved Khatib’s March 12 presidential victory in favor of incumbent Brendan Hawkins’ challenge of validity after high schoolers, faculty and staff were discovered voting in the election, and declared a special election. 

The lawsuit described Khatib as “personally injured” after the Judicial Board ordered a special election and ordered that both candidates needed to run a new campaign. Jackson, being the highest-ranking officer of Murray State, was named in the lawsuit as the responsible party. Khatib won the second election on April 16, but he said then that the lawsuit would continue.   

“Thus, the President of the University is responsible for the decisions by the judicial board and has a ministerial duty to ensure its conduct does not result in a violation of the policies of the Board of Regents,” the lawsuit read.

The case then moved from Calloway County to Christian County. A special judge heard the case after a motion was filed to recuse Andrea Moore, Calloway Circuit Court judge, because Judicial Board Chief Justice Piper McClain had worked with Moore during a summer internship in Calloway County Circuit Court. 

From June 16 to July 29, the case was argued to be moot, as Khatib won the special election and was elected as SGA president and student regent to the Board of Regents. Martinez became a freshman at the University, meaning his rights as a student of Murray State are fulfilled as compared to being in Racer Academy. 

Carrie Mattingly, Jackson’s attorney, then sent an email to John L. Atkins, chief circuit court judge and specially appointed, requesting to hold the case.

“The parties, having reached a settlement in principle, are working toward resolving this matter and jointly request that the court remand the hearing that is currently set for this Monday, August 4, as we anticipate filing an agreed order of dismissal with prejudice once the parties have finalized a written release and settlement agreement,” Mattingly said. 

The suit was dismissed with prejudice on Aug. 11. A case dismissed with prejudice means the case cannot be refiled and is permanently closed.