There will be "an independent evaluation of culture, conduct and procedures throughout our athletics department," said U-M president Domenico Grasso.
University of Michigan interim president Domenico Grasso, who already sent out a letter to students and faculty to address the fallout around the firing and arrest of former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore, has doubled down.
In a video published on YouTube on Wednesday, Dec. 17, Grasso addressed the Michigan community at large after what he called a "difficult" week for all involved.
He elaborated on Michigan's decision to hire an outside law firm to investigate anything and everything affiliated with Moore's conduct.
“We are continuing the investigation of Coach Moore’s actions to uncover any additional germane and material information and to assess whether there may be related misconduct by others,” Grasso said. "We will not stop there. We have expanded the Jenner & Block assignment to include an independent evaluation of culture, conduct and procedures throughout our athletics department.
"In parallel, we are committed to strengthening the functional capacity of our university-wide Ethics, Integrity, and Compliance Office within the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.”
Moore was found to have a yearslong inappropriate relationship with a staffer on Wednesday, Dec. 10, the same day he was fired. It had been rumored for some time and earlier in the year, U-M conducted an internal investigation, which meant interviewing both Moore and the staffer in question as well as searching their phones, but allegedly nothing was uncovered.
The staffer in question then allegedly brought forth the "credible evidence" Michigan cited the day Moore was fired that showed they had in fact been in a relationship. Moore later told Police that it happened as well.
Moore was arrested and taken to St. Joseph Mercy Health System for a mental health evaluation before he was transported to Washtenaw County Jail, where he stayed for two nights. Before his arrest, police reports say Moore allegedly broke into the staffer's house in question and grabbed a pair of kitchen scissors and butter knives from the drawer and threatened to kill himself. Police reports obtained by the Free Press state Moore also threatened the victim, but the prosecutor did not indicate any threats at the arraignment.
Moore has since been released on a $25,000 bond, in which he is not permitted to have contact with the victim, required to wear a GPS monitor and continue to undergo mental health treatment.
As far as the investigation, Grasso stated it will delve deep into the department's conduct and take "whatever steps are necessary” to ensure nothing of the sort happens again. He went as far as to say the investigation will leave “no stone unturned” and explained any further action taken will be based on "credible evidence and findings through a rigorous investigation."
Grasso continued by saying if anything comes up in this investigation "or otherwise" that "warrants a termination of any employee, we will act swiftly, just as we did in the case of coach Moore."
“I know there are a lot of questions, speculation and rumors, but we won’t be distracted by them,” Grasso said. “Our focus is strictly on uncovering the facts. It is my job, my duty to ensure the integrity of this investigation.”
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan president: 'No stone unturned' in new athletics investigation
Category: General Sports
