"University May Fight Cuccinelli Demand"

"The University of Virginia has hired a law firm to explore its options in responding to a demand by state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli that UVa turn over documents and correspondence related to a former climatology researcher.

Cuccinelli sent UVa a civil investigative demand -- which has the legal force of a subpoena -- to investigate the research activities of Michael Mann, a former UVa professor of environmental science who is widely known for his research into global climate change.

UVa had previously said it had no choice but to comply with Cuccinelli's demand, despite objections from UVa's Faculty Senate, the Virginia ACLU, the American Association of University Professors and other groups that allege that Cuccinelli's actions were politically motivated and could infringe on academic freedom."

Brian McNeill reports for the Charlottesville Daily Progress May 14, 2010.