LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) – A trial date is set in a lawsuit filed by the former UW-La Crosse Chancellor who was fired for making pornographic content with his wife.
Joe Gow filed the lawsuit against the University and Board of Regents. In September, the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents voted unanimously to fire Gow as a communications professor. He was also seeking to retain tenure after his dismissal as chancellor. Gow had served as chancellor of UW-La Crosse for nearly 17 years.
Gow has accused the regents of stifling his free speech rights. He insisted in a statement that he produced the pornography on his own time without referencing the university system and questioned the system’s commitment to academic freedom and freedom of expression.
A trial date for the case is set in Federal Court for June 22, 2026.
Gow said the board fired him because they were uncomfortable with him and his wife producing and appearing in pornographic videos.
University President Jay Rothman said in part ‘specific conduct by Doctor Gow’ subjected the university to ‘significant reputational harm.’
Gow said he doesn’t see why producing adult content is an issue. He also said the regents never told him what policy he violated, and he was never allowed to present his case.
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