Portions of former Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis' deposition about Auston Robertson's recruitment by now-former coach Mark Dantonio must remain sealed from public view, a federal judge ruled late Tuesday.
Attorneys for former MSU staffer Curtis Blackwell had appealed the ruling from a magistrate sealing the document. Judge Janet Neff of Michigan's western district made the ruling. Blackwell is suing MSU, Hollis and Dantonio, saying they terminated him wrongly.
The portion of the deposition – where Hollis was questioned under oath – dealing with Robertson was unrelated or tangential to the lawsuit.
[ Mark Dantonio explains why he retired as Michigan State coach ]
The ruling comes as fighting between the two sides continues, with Blackwell's attorneys releasing part of Dantonio's deposition late Monday night and alleging Dantonio conducted NCAA violations, including offering jobs to family members of recruits.