More on Dean Sargent’s sudden resignation as Dean of Villanova Law School, and the innuendo surrounding the decision, at Law.com…

Questions Arise After Law School Dean’s Resignation in Wake of Prostitution Investigation
by Gina Passarella

Word of Villanova Law School Dean Mark Sargent’s resignation last week was accompanied by little in the way of a pronouncement of his accomplishments or a formal press release announcing his next step.

Alumni were surprised at news of the resignation but had nothing but positive things to say about Sargent’s 12-year tenure.

Over the course of the holiday weekend, however, a different picture was painted of Sargent’s decision to step down. Reports in The Philadelphia Inquirer described Sargent’s involvement as a one-time customer of an alleged prostitution house and his subsequent cooperation with state police who were building a case against the owner of the house and two alleged prostitutes. He has not been charged with any crime and is said to have fully cooperated with investigators, according to a report by The Associated Press.

It is unclear when university officials first learned specifically of the alleged prostitution connection. Sargent’s resignation submitted to university President Peter M. Donohue cited “personal and medical” reasons — the exact language the university used in describing the seemingly abrupt resignation. But the school apparently knew that Sargent was involved in some sort of police investigation.

Just another day at Villanova University School of Law…

Ex-dean helped police, report says
By Kathleen Brady Shea

Police investigating a prostitution ring in Chester County relied on two customers, including the dean of Villanova Law School, to provide information that culminated last week in a no-contest plea by the man promoting the business, documents show.

Mark A. Sargent, who was appointed dean in 1987, resigned suddenly Monday, citing personal and medical reasons.

According to a report by the Pennsylvania State Police, Sargent was a customer at a Kennett Township house suspected as a site for prostitution when police raided it Nov. 25. He was not charged.

The Rev. Peter Donohue, the Villanova University president, was out of town yesterday and unavailable for comment, said Jonathan Gust, university spokesman.

Gust said that the university had accepted Sargent’s resignation and that he would not be returning to the faculty. He declined comment on Sargent’s involvement in the prostitution bust.