Former University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow is suing to get his teaching position back at the college.
Gow was fired from his tenured teaching in a unanimous Board of Regents vote in September.
He was terminated from his chancellorship in December 2023 after pornographic videos he created and distributed came to light.
Stay informed on the latest news
Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.
But he remained employed by the university as a tenured faculty member until the September decision, with Gow continuing to collect a salary of $91,915 as a tenured professor.
In a statement, Gow said Monday was the first day of the spring semester at UW-La Crosse and he should be returning to campus to teach.
He has maintained that the “Sexy Happy Couple” pornographic videos he and his wife created and sold online are protected by the First Amendment.
“The Court should also award Dr. Gow damages compensating Dr. Gow for the financial losses flowing from his unconstitutional firing,” the lawsuit filed in the Western District of Wisconsin states.
The suit names the Board of Regents, Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman and dozens of others.
Representatives from the university system could not immediately be reached for comment.
In the 21-page letter recommending “dismissal for cause,” Universities of Wisconsin attorneys say Gow was neglecting his duties as chancellor to make pornography. The letter also details alleged insubordination, improper use of technology resources, damage to the university’s reputation and unethical conduct.
Gow and his wife, Carmen Wilson, appeared in and posted at least six pornographic videos, some viewable for free and others for payment, on publicly accessible websites such as LoyalFans, Pornhub and xHamster.
They’ve also published two books using pseudonyms about their experiences in the adult film industry, and they’ve created a YouTube channel, “Sexy Healthy Cooking.”
In addition to seeking reinstatement, Gow wants the Board of Regents to declare his First Amendment rights were violated. He is seeking a jury trial.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2025, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
