San Diego State has begun the process of taking action against Steve Bartel, the athletic equipment manager whose alleged improprieties were at the center of the California State University audit.

SDSU human resources director Sue Blair said yesterday that Bartel has received notice of an intention to discipline. She would not elaborate on what that discipline was, though it could include his ultimate dismissal. She also would not say whether Bartel had responded.

An employee served with such a notice has a certain amount of time to respond. After the employee's response, the university decides whether to proceed with the discipline.

Paul Kondrick, Bartel's attorney, said his client has not received a notice of SDSU's intentions.

"I don't know what that means," said Kondrick, who contended that a letter his client did receive from SDSU Vice President of Business Affairs Sally Roush "does not have any legal force or effect for a state employee."

Meanwhile yesterday, Kondrick filed a lawsuit on Bartel's behalf against at least 14 defendants (and perhaps as many as 214) alleging defamation, invasion of privacy, interference with contractual relations and/or prospective economic relations/advantage; discrimination, harassment and retaliation; intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress and a request that those who defamed Bartel make it known publicly their comments were false.

"We're tired of talking to the wall, and we're no longer willing to accept the status quo," Kondrick said. "Steve Bartel is no longer willing to be a punching bag for people that had their own agendas . . . (The lawsuit) is an effort to get to the heart of the matter – and that is there are people that are saying bad things. Steve Bartel is going to hold people accountable."

SDSU President Stephen Weber and Roush are named and accused in the complaint of making false statements about Bartel. Former Associate Athletic Director Jana Doggett, fired in the wake of the audit, is named and accused of discrimination and retaliation.

Aztecs strength and conditioning director Dave Ohton is named and accused in the lawsuit of making false statements about Bartel, both in his 103-page report and elsewhere.

Also named and accused is John Spriet, an assistant to Ohton and former assistant of Bartel's who provided information to CSU auditor Michael Redmond. Redmond is named in the suit as well, as is the state, the CSU board of trustees and CSU Chancellor Charles Reed.

Also named is former assistant student equipment manager Ryan Hill, who is charged in the suit with making false statements about Bartel.

Stephen Echard-Musgrave, a friend of Ohton's who supplied Redmond with information, is also named, as is Edward Morris, whom the suit identifies as operator of the Web site Aztectalk.com. Concluding the list of defendants are a possible 200 DOES, fictitious names that include people who have posted comments on Aztectalk.com and also those who provided information in the CSU audit and elsewhere.