Correction: An earlier version of this story said Hollis had signed an NDA.
Indiana University may have to pay for the legal expenses and penalties of a former student in a $2 billion dollar lawsuit, said a Monroe County judge.
Judge Kelsey Hanlon denied the university’s motion to dismiss counts that the former student, T.R. Hollis, acted on its behalf when he allegedly violated enabled a competitor to steal plans for a proposed luxury resort in Puerto Rico during a business school project.
Hanlon said that because he was performing work for a class, he was acting as an agent of IU and eligible for indemnification, meaning IU would cover his legal expenses and penalties.
Public organizations such as IU are required to indemnify employees acting on official business under Indiana law.
Hollis's professor Will Geoghegan signed an NDA but students did not, according to court documents.
Tim and Doris Anne Sadler of Indianapolis opened the case last year, initially against five students and their professor, but eventually added IU.
