In a one-on-one interview with reporter Bob Jones of our sister station WEWS, the Kent State University professor under investigation by the FBI for alleged ties with ISIS said he has nothing to hide.
WATCH the full interview in the video player above.
Julio Pino talked to WEWS outside his home Thursday, saying he does not support ISIS nor does he recruit students for ISIS. The associate professor of history said he did not know he was under investigation until he saw the news reports.
"It was as much as a shock to me as it was to other people," Pino said.
Pino admitted that he had made controversial comments before. In 2011, WEWS reported that Pino shouted "Death to Israel" during a speech by a former Israeli diplomat. However, he said he doesn't know what prompted the FBI investigation.
"I don't discuss politics in school," Pino told WEWS.
Still, he told WEWS he's not nervous about losing his job, saying as long as he continues to do work professionally he will be fine.
Kent State has distanced itself from Pino since word of the investigation broke. On Wednesday, university president Beverly Warren called Pino's comments "reprehensible." She continued saying, "As a university, we do not defend his views, and he does not speak on behalf of Kent State or members of our community."
Pino told WEWS that he respects Warrens opinion. "And she respects mine," he said. He added that they both want to keep the university safe.
Pino returns to Kent State to teach a class Thursday for the first time since news of the investigation broke. He is scheduled to teach a history senior seminar at 12:30 p.m. and a history of Cuba and Central America class at 3:45 p.m.
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