STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State's civil defense lawyer is defending comments made by its former president shortly after two of his top deputies were arrested more than a year ago.

University attorney Nancy Conrad on Friday again sought dismissal of Mike McQueary's defamation and whistleblower lawsuit. She says Graham Spanier's remarks in support of Tim Curley and Gary Schultz were taken out of context.

Conrad says Spanier in November 2011 said more than ``the charges are groundless.'' She says the expanded quote was that ``I am confident the record will show that these charges are groundless and that they conducted themselves professionally and appropriately.''

McQueary was a witness in the Jerry Sandusky molestation case. He is arguing Spanier's comments made him look untruthful.

A hearing on the school's objections to the lawsuit is Monday.