Former Truett McConnell University (TMU) president Emir Caner has filed a lawsuit against the Georgia Baptist institution, alleging trustees breached his employment contract when they voted to terminate him in September 2025. The complaint, filed June 5 in White County Superior Court, seeks damages, attorney fees, and other relief connected to what Caner calls an unjustified dismissal, according to media reports.
According to the lawsuit, Caner, who led TMU for more than 17 years, signed a 10‑year contract extension in 2021, set to run through June 30, 2031. The agreement allowed termination only “for cause,” a standard Caner argues the board failed to meet. “The university could only terminate Caner for cause,” the complaint states, adding that trustees “lacked sufficient grounds to do so.”
Allegations Surrounding Former VP
The firing centers on Caner’s handling of misconduct allegations involving Bradley Reynolds, TMU’s former vice president of academic services. Reynolds was dismissed in 2024 after informing Caner he was under investigation for sexual misconduct. The complaint says Caner consulted university counsel, terminated Reynolds, offered a standard severance, and notified trustees within days. “The board took no action against him at the time,” the filing notes.
Trustees’ stance shifted after a May 2025 investigative report by The Roys Report, which revisited allegations that Reynolds had groomed and sexually abused former student and employee Hayle Swinson. The report also cited claims that Caner had been warned about Reynolds as early as 2016, allegations Caner disputes. One week after the report’s publication, trustees placed Caner on administrative leave and launched a third‑party investigation.
Trustees’ Decision and Caner’s Response
On Sept. 25, 2025, the board voted 19-10 to fire Caner, citing his handling of the Reynolds matter. Caner argues the reasons “did not constitute a breach of his employment agreement,” insisting he had no prior knowledge of Reynolds’ alleged misconduct before 2024.
The lawsuit also outlines substantial financial losses, including his $272,639.69 annual salary, performance‑based increases, housing, health and retirement benefits, a university vehicle, and other contractual perks valued at more than $133,000 annually.
The lawsuit comes amid broader scrutiny of TMU’s response to sexual misconduct allegations. Former employees told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution they had raised concerns years earlier about Reynolds’ behavior toward Swinson, claims Caner denies. Swinson’s attorney has said she welcomes a trial, asserting that “when the evidence comes out,” her client’s account will be affirmed.
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