DETROIT – A renowned opera vocalist, who was dismissed by the University of Michigan in 2020 due to allegations of sexual misconduct, has initiated legal action against the university officials, asserting that his rights were infringed throughout the investigation process.
David Daniels is pursuing an undisclosed amount of compensation for what he claims were violations against him during his termination.
On Thursday, a representative for the university requested that a judge dismiss the lawsuit, contending that Daniels failed to file his case within a reasonable time frame.
At 58 years old, Daniels began his position as a voice professor at the university in 2015 and was granted tenure in 2018 within the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. However, he was terminated in 2020 after an investigation revealed he had solicited sexual interactions with at least three students and had shared an explicit video with one of them, according to university officials.
In a separate matter, Daniels and his husband faced legal charges in Houston in 2019 after a graduate student from Rice University accused them of drugging and assaulting him some years earlier, following an encounter at a Houston Grand Opera event.
In 2023, both Daniels and Scott Walters admitted guilt in a sexual assault case and were sentenced to probation.
In the Detroit federal court, Daniels’ lawyer contended that his prolonged delay of over three years in filing the lawsuit should not be penalized, citing the unique circumstances surrounding the criminal case in Texas.
Francyne Stacey, representing Daniels, asserted that the situation warranted leniency. U.S. District Judge Sean Cox indicated that Daniels could have pursued the legal claim at an earlier time and sought a delay during the prosecution of the Texas case.
An individual who previously alleged misconduct against Daniels from the University of Michigan is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. Attorney Deborah Gordon urged the court to dismiss the case, claiming that Daniels and his legal team had “intentionally sat on their hands” and criticized their timing.
“Mr. Daniels appears to be seeking revenge and has opted to take up the sword in this battle,” Gordon said, emphasizing the frivolity of the lawsuit in her argument.
The university has firmly rejected the notion that Daniels’ rights were compromised throughout the proceedings of his termination, pointing out that he had legal representation during the entire process.
Judge Cox has not yet issued a ruling on the matter.
David Daniels has a distinguished career, having performed at prominent venues such as the Metropolitan Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the San Francisco Opera.
