Lawsuit continues against novelist Nicholas Sparks, NC school he started

RALEIGH, N.C. — A federal judge says the former headmaster of a private Christian school founded by novelist Nicholas Sparks can continue to sue the author, the North Carolina school, and the foundation Sparks created to support it.

U.S. District Judge James Dever III ruled last month that a jury should decide whether the author of "Message in a Bottle" and "The Notebook" defamed Saul Hillel Benjamin and violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Sparks allegedly told parents, a job recruiter and others that the former Epiphany School of Global Studies headmaster suffered from mental health problems. Benjamin was in the position for less than five months and said he was forced out.

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Attorneys have proposed settlement discussions for next month and a potential trial starting in March. Sparks' public relations firm and attorneys didn't respond when invited to comment.

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Associated Press