Prof Who Says Sandy Hook Was a Hoax Getting Fired

A Florida Atlantic University professor has been making waves for years with his conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook massacre, and now the school is taking action. James Tracy has been claiming on his blog since 2013 that the Newtown, Conn., elementary school shooting was staged, and FAU has reprimanded him at least once, but ultimately determined he couldn't be fired for expressing his own views on a private blog. But, in the wake of a Sun-Sentinel op-ed by the parents of one Sandy Hook victim—who claim Tracy has been harassing them—FAU gave Tracy a letter Wednesday saying he's been recommended for termination, the Sun-Sentinel reports. Tracy has discussed victim Noah Pozner numerous times on his blog, and the feud apparently has to do with the Pozners filing a copyright infringement claim against him for publishing Noah's image on the blog.

In the op-ed, Veronique and Lenny Pozner say that Tracy has "publicly demoniz[ed] our attempts to keep cherished photos of our slain son from falling into the hands of conspiracy theorists" and "sent us a certified letter demanding proof that Noah once lived, that we were his parents, and that we were the rightful owner of his photographic image," after which they filed a police report for harassment. They called on FAU to do something about Tracy. He responded on a "Sandy Hook Hoax" Facebook page, claiming that the Pozners and other "alleged parents" of victims "have made out very well financially, soliciting contributions from generous yet misinformed Americans." He can respond to his termination recommendation within 10 days, "after which final action may be taken," per a university statement. Tracy has also claimed that other attacks, including ones in Paris and San Bernardino, were staged, PIX-11 reports. (Truthers hijacked the online reviews of a book by the mother of another Sandy Hook victim.)