Court Rules UVA Doesn't Have To Turn Over Climate Scientist's Emails

A judge has ruled that the University of Virginia does not have to turn over emails from a former climate scientist there.

Michael Mann was a climate scientist at UVA, and is one of the big names in climate change research. Conservative groups and politicians who reject the idea that humans are causing climate change have targeted him, accusing him of fraud and demanding he turn over emails discussing his research.

Virginia's attorney general Ken Cuccinelli famously failed in his attempt to investigate the scientist, and now, so has the American Tradition Institute. That organization tried to use Virginia's Freedom of Information Act to force the University to hand over thousands of emails, but a judge has ruled that the professor's emails are exempt.

UVA spokeswoman Carol Wood says the university is pleased that its position protecting scholarly and scientific records was affirmed. Mann, who now works at Penn State, says he is gratified by UVA's efforts.

ATI said on its website that it was "troubled'' by the ruling.