Dive Brief:

• Westfield State University President Evan Dobelle is suing university trustees and a state official today, saying they conspired to destroy his reputation.
• Dobelle was placed on paid leave last week while the school investigates allegations of inappropriate spending on travel, hotels and fancy restaurants.
• The lawsuit says he will be seeking compensatory and punitive damages for damage to his reputation and interference with his $240,000-a-year contract.

Dive Insight:

Dobelle sees a conspiracy in which others — including a top State Police official — wanted to kick him out to run the university their way. At the time he was put on leave, Dobelle pledged to sue. Now, he's made good on that promise.