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Crime
Former SMU law dean arrested on prostitution charge
By JULIE FANCHER [email protected]
Staff Writer
Published: 01 February 2015 09:41 PM
Updated: 02 February 2015 01:19 PM
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John Attanasio
A former Southern Methodist University Law School dean was arrested early Sunday on a prostitution charge, jail records show.
John Attanasio, 60, was booked into the Collin County Jail but was released after posting $500 bail on the Class B misdemeanor.
The Collin County Sheriff’s Department said he was arrested by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers.
A DPS spokesman declined to release details about the arrest, calling it part of an ongoing investigaiton.
Attanasio, who lives in North Dallas, could not be reached for comment Sunday evening.
He served as the law school’s dean from 1988 to 2013, when SMU officials declined to renew his contract.
The decision brought a backlash from some faculty members, financial supporters and members of the school’s executive committee.
Attanasio remains the school’s Judge William Hawley Atwell Chair of Constitutional Law and a professor.
“I can confirm that John Attanasio is a full-time member of the SMU law school,†an SMU spokeswoman said in a written statement Sunday. “It would not be appropriate, however, for SMU to comment on matters that are being investigated by area police.â€
Attanasio will not be teaching his scheduled course this week, the spokeswoman said.