Former worker says ISU president assaulted him

NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State University police are investigating a report filed by a former campus employee that accuses President Timothy Flanagan of assaulting him while complaining about the care of the president's lawn.

According to a police report, then-superintendent of grounds R. Patrick Murphy claims Flanagan's saliva hit Murphy in the face and Flanagan's arm hit Murphy's torso as Flanagan yelled at Murphy on Dec. 5 outside the university-owned home where the president lives.

Flanagan declined to speak to The Associated Press through a university spokesman, citing the ongoing investigation.

Murphy told police he was supervising a crew working on the lawn when Flanagan ran out of the house and complained about the work.

Murphy told The Pantagraph in Bloomington he was fired Dec. 10 and wants his job back.