Tulsa judge has 30 days to decide on defamation lawsuit against State Supt. Ryan Walters

TULSA COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) — On Tuesday, a hearing was held for a defamation lawsuit filed by Bixby Public School's Superintendent Rob Miller.

The lawsuit comes after State Superintendent Ryan Walters called Supt. Miller a "liar" and "clown."

Those statements were made by Supt. Walters at a meeting on July 31, in response to a reporter's question about Supt. Miller's request for an estimate in Title I funding.

According to the lawsuit, Supt. Miller asked Supt. Walters when Oklahoma school districts could expect to see estimates for how much they'd receive in Title I funding back in July.

Court records detail Supt. Walters wanting immunity for his comments, under the Oklahoma Government Tort Claims Act (GTCA).

In the document, it says Supt. Walters was "Acting well within the scope of his employment when he responded to questions about a subordinate's public accusations of mishandling federal funds for public schools."

On Tuesday, a Tulsa County judge heard arguments from the attorneys of both Supt. Walters and Supt. Miller.

Supt. Miller claims Supt. Walters defamed him and painted his character in a bad light.

Supt. Walter's defense agues, under state law, Walters cannot be sued for comments made while performing his duties as a State Superintendent.

A judge has 30 days to decide if the lawsuit will move forward and potentially go to trial, or if it will be dismissed.