HARRISBURG — A judge has ruled that former FBI Director Louis Freeh must show why a pending civil lawsuit against him should be heard in federal court.

The Centre Daily Times reports that Judge Malachy Mannion ruled Friday that Freeh hasn’t done enough to show why former Penn State president Graham Spanier’s pending defamation lawsuit should be moved.

Spanier’s attorneys have filed notice they intend to sue Freeh for defamation.

Freeh’s attorneys want the case moved to federal court on the grounds that he’s not a Pennsylvania resident, among other issues.

Spanier wants the case heard in Centre County.