LSU turned over 60 plus case files of alleged incidents of sexual misconduct committed by students to a firm tasked with investigating the school’s alleged mishandling of those allegations.
LSU Interim President Tom Galligan said all of the documents forwarded to Husch Blackwell so far are from a period between 2016 and 2018.
“We have sent police reports and Title Nine reports, we have also sent some background information on policies,” said Galligan.
LSU hired Houston-based Husch Blackwell to conduct a review of their sexual misconduct reporting policies and the school’s handling of these allegations after an expose by USA Today last month. The report will be released in February.
There’s concern that some LSU staff may have participated in cover-ups of the incidents, but Galligan said they want Blackwell’s take on who knew what and when before they take action.
“Now I know there have been those who have called for immediate punitive action however this is an extremely serious, complicated, and critically important issue and we are going to take the time to get it right,” said Galligan.
Currently, no LSU staff are on administrative leave related to this situation, including Deputy Athletic Director Verge Ausberry who said he did not follow up on evidence after he learned a football player at the time, Drake Davis, hit his girlfriend.
Galligan said they want to hear from current and former students about other potential incidents. He says if informed of other incidents they will pass that information along to Blackwell.
“I want to applaud and admire the incredible courage of the victims who have come forward to tell their stories. I can only imagine how difficult that has been for them,” said Galligan.
Many of the allegations are against former LSU football players, notably former running back Derrius Guice.
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