LSU and ten former students, who sued the university over claims of mishandling sexual assault and domestic violence complaints including football players and others at Louisiana's primary state university, have reached a resolution in the case.
LSU Settles Lawsuit Regarding Accusations and Complaints
In a March 28 order, US District Judge Wendy Vitter declared that all claims in the case had been resolved and the disagreement had been settled agreeably, although the details of the resolution were not disclosed.
Among the complainants in the 2021 civil case, four accused former star running back Derrius Guice of sexual immorality.
Another complainant, former LSU female's tennis player Jade Lewis, claimed that LSU did not suitably respond to reports of her being abused by former Tigers receiver Drake Davis while they were in a relationship.
As per records from Nola.com, court documents recommend that all parties have reached a resolution, choosing to settle the matter appropriately.
The case was dismissed without any costs or prejudice, with the possibility for reopening if the resolution isn't concluded within a reasonable timeframe.
Plaintiffs' attorneys opt not to comment on the resolution, and an LSU spokesperson also opt not to provide an announcement.
Abby Owens, Samantha Brennan, Calise Richardson, and Ashlyn Robertson were among the plaintiffs who accused former LSU football standout Derrius Guice of sexual misconduct.
In addition, LSU tennis player Jade Lewis alleged that the university failed to correctly handle reports of abuse including her former boyfriend, Tigers football player Drake Davis.
The lawsuit centered on federal Title IX laws, which hinder gender-based discrimination, harassment, or violence. The allegations from female students, spanning about a decade, implicated former university leaders after they had left the institution.
Individuals Associated with LSU Faced Consequences in Subsequent Positions
Former LSU football coach Les Miles and former university President F. King Alexander encountered consequences in their subsequent roles.
Miles, who served as LSU's head coach from 2005 to 2016 and achieved a national title, was removed from his role at Kansas in 2021.
Alexander was dismissed from his presidency at Oregon State. While serving at LSU, allegations of improper sexual advances toward female students were internally handled and kept confidential by the university and its legal representatives in 2013.
LSU hired the Husch Blackwell law firm to review its handling of sexual misconduct complaints, with the findings pointing to shortcomings in committing resources to Title IX compliance and offering resistance rather than support to alleged victims.
Nine players who competed under coach Ed Orgeron reportedly faced allegations of sexual misconduct or physical abuse.
Although some were punished and left LSU, others, including Guice, departed the university without repercussions and were selected in the NFL draft.
The Husch Blackwell review primarily criticized LSU administrators, suggesting that coaches lacked the expertise to handle such complaints and should refer them to Title IX compliance officials.
Among current LSU employees, Deputy Athletic Director Verge Ausberry and Senior Associate Athletic Director Miriam Segar received suspensions of about a month for mishandling multiple sexual misconduct complaints.
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