LAPLACE – Former East St. John High School coach and teacher Charles Julien has sued L’Observateur for libel in 40th Judicial District Court. Also named in the suit were the newspaper’s corporate owner, Wick Communications Co., and its publisher and editor, Kevin Chiri.

The suit seeks financial damages as determined by the court.

Julien was suspended by the St. John School Board without pay through the end of the school term at a May 5 hearing. Superintended Michael Coburn had recommended that Julien be fired, but the board rejected that recommendation. At the end of the school year, Coburn elected not to rehire Julien.

Julien’s suit claims the newspaper’s coverage injured his reputation.