Michigan Official Who Bullied Student On Leave

Michigan assistant attorney general Andrew Shirvell, who wrote a controversial blog that attacked the gay student body president at the University of Michigan, has taken a voluntary leave of absence.

According to AnnArbor.com, "Joy Yearout, a spokeswoman for Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, said this morning that media reports saying Cox suspended Shirvell were inaccurate."

Shirvell generated national scorn for his antigay comments directed toward student body president Chris Armstrong. On Thursday, governor Jennifer Granholm said on Twitter that she would fire Shirvell if she were the attorney general. Cox has defended Shirvell's activities as free speech in his off hours.

AnnArbor.com reported, "Yearout would not comment on the length of the leave or any other details, saying only it was Shirvell's decision to temporarily step aside from his position as an assistant state attorney general."