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LSU exec files $50M federal lawsuit against the university, alleging sexual misconduct cover-up

2 years 11 months 2 weeks ago Thursday, April 08 2021 Apr 8, 2021 April 08, 2021 8:27 AM April 08, 2021 in News
Source: WBRZ

BATON ROUGE - On the morning of Thursday, April 8, attorneys representing an LSU executive who recently announced plans to sue the school officially filed the federal lawsuit with U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana (Baton Rouge).

Sharon Lewis, represented by attorneys Larry English, Bridgett Brown, and Tammye Brown, serves as LSU's Associate Athletic Director of Football Recruiting and Alumni Relations.

During a recent interview with USA Today reporters, Lewis claimed that ever since she approached university officials in 2013, informing them of inappropriate behavior on the part of then-football coach Les Miles, she became the target of harassment and retaliation.

Her attorneys addressed the public with more on the case during an Wednesday, April 7 news conference.

Click here to read the full lawsuit 

She said the mistreatment she suffered, in addition to experiencing workplace racial prejudice and gender discrimination, negatively impacted her health and well-being.

Lewis added that as an overwhelming number of women who'd been abused by prominent members of the LSU community began to speak out, she was inspired to come forward with her own account.

Attorneys representing Lewis claim a law firm hired by LSU was part of the coverup and conspiracy. Taylor Porter is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

"That is why Taylor Porter is involved," Tammye Brown said. "They conducted the investigation. They drafted the memorandum that demonstrated the conspiracy and part of the conspiracy was to hide documents to circumvent compliance with Title IX."

Taylor Porter adamantly denied any coverups. A letter issued by Vicki Crochet who conducted the work states she stands behind the work they did to protect the alleged victims.

Lewis' attorneys said they were going to file a $50 million lawsuit against the university Wednesday afternoon, accusing it of failure to adhere to Title IX policies regarding sex discrimination and sexual misconduct and of acting out of harmony with The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO), which prohibits organizations from engaging in dishonest and fraudulent business dealings. However as of Wednesday evening, the lawsuit still was not filed.

Footage from the attorney's Wednesday morning news conference is available to view below.

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