SC State, former president settle lawsuit

S.C. State University has agreed to pay former President Thomas Elzey $332,500 to settle his contract-breach lawsuit against the school.

Elzey was fired in March after being placed on administrative leave less than two years into his tenure. The S.C. State trustees who fired Elzey were replaced by state lawmakers in May after they failed to trim a deficit that grew past $20 million.

Elzey was owed an estimated $427,000 in salary and vacation pay when he was fired, according to a legislative analysis of his contract.

The settlement, which includes legal fees, does “not pass judgment” on Elzey’s performance or the previous board’s decision to fire Elzey, according to a statement from S.C. State board chairman Charlie Way.

The school said it wanted to “put the matter behind us” and avoid the lawsuit’s expense and disruption.

This story was originally published August 26, 2015 at 5:35 PM with the headline "SC State, former president settle lawsuit."