SC State trustees fire President Thomas Elzey

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina State University trustees have voted to fire suspended President Thomas Elzey just hours after a judge lifted his ban on ending the contract.

Trustees voted 6-1 in public with three members abstaining Monday to terminate Elzey’s contract, which has more than two years remaining. Members then immediately started meeting again in private.

Board of Trustees Chairman William Small read a prewritten motion saying Elzey was being fired based on letters trustees wrote in January and February. Those letters were not released.

Legislators say Elzey’s contract will pay him about $425,000 if he is fired without cause. Trustees didn’t give any reason for their decision.

Elzey’s lawyer did not immediately return a phone call.

Lawmakers are trying to fire the trustees.