Ex-prof in noose case sues for $200 million

updated 3:39 p.m. ET April 22, 2009

NEW YORK - A professor at Columbia University's Teachers College who was fired over plagiarism allegations is suing the graduate school for $200 million.

Madonna Constantine filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday calling her 2008 firing an "academic lynching."

Constantine was a clinical psychology professor at Teachers College, which is affiliated with Columbia University. She says her firing was fueled by "academic rivalry and political intrigue."

Teachers College says the lawsuit has no merit and intends to defend itself vigorously.

Constantine's firing came after a noose was found dangling from her office door. Police never determined who put it there.

In October, the former professor filed a lawsuit seeking to have her firing reversed.

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