Dr. Andrew Hugine is close to reaching an agreement with South Carolina State University in the lawsuit over his dismissal, according to his lawyer.

Attorney Benjamin Mabry said the two sides have reached a tentative settlement. He said he can’t disclose the terms until it’s finalized.

Hugine sued S.C. State last July for allegedly breaching his contract when he was fired from his position as president in 2007. He is seeking not more than $1 million from the university, according to his court filings.

State Budget and Control Board spokesperson Delbert Singleton said there are still some outstanding issues to be resolved between the parties. Singleton said he can’t be more specific right now.

The state Insurance Reserve Fund would pay out any monetary settlement to Hugine.

Meanwhile, S.C. State spokesperson Erica Taylor said the university hasn’t been informed a settlement has been reached.

Both Mabry and Columbia attorney Richard Morgan sent e-mails to the Orangeburg County Courthouse last Friday indicating the matter was over.

“Case was settled at mediation. Paperwork to follow,” Mabry said to county Clerk of Court Winnifa Clark via e-mail.

In a separate e-mail, Morgan said the lawsuit was settled on July 29. He said settlement documents are currently being circulated.

Morgan, who couldn’t be reached for comment Monday, represented the seven trustees that voted Hugine out and Faculty Senate President Dr. Evelyn Fields in the lawsuit. Hugine dropped them from the lawsuit last month, leaving S.C. State as the only defendant.

Hugine was recently hired as president of Alabama A&M University.

Attempts to reach S.C. State’s attorney, Charles Boykin, and Hugine for comment were unsuccessful Monday. Reached by phone, S.C. State board Chairman Lumus Byrd had no comment on the lawsuit.

T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060.

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