Miles and LSU’s Sexual Harassment Allegations: 5 Things to Know About Settlement, Lawsuit | LSU

Les Miles is now the head coach of the University of Kansas, but it was elements of his tenure at LSU that made headlines this week.

These were spurred on by the revelation of a ten-year-old settlement the longtime Tigers coach struck with a student, first reported by The Advocate’s Andrea Gallo and Brooks kubena Tuesday afternoon.

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Lawyers for the LSU coach are also at the center of a legal battle with another outlet over the release of documents relating to a years-old investigation into his time on the program.

But what are the key elements to be aware of before the conclusions of a larger investigation underway at LSU? Scroll down below for a breakdown of five things to know about the settlement, the past investigation, the upcoming report and more.

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WHAT THE SETTLEMENT INVOLVES

The settlement that came to light this week happened about a decade ago, around the time LSU and Miles were working to secure a multi-year contract extension. The complaint concerned an LSU intern, who accused the Tigers football coach of “hitting her”.

Little is known at this point about the terms of the settlement, although SJM officials confirmed on Wednesday that they had heard of the settlement, but said the university was not a party to it and that they were not. had not seen it.

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WHAT MILES HAS TO SAY

Arriving this week, Miles denied the allegations of making advances on a student.

“It’s not true,” he said.

Miles did not respond directly to questions regarding the settlement.

Peter Ginsberg, a longtime New York-based attorney for Miles, said a description of the settlement was “patently incomplete and inaccurate.” He did not respond to follow-up questions regarding the existence of a regulation.

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WHERE THE NEWS COME FROM

The settlement has surfaced amid a larger investigation into LSU’s handling of allegations of sexual misconduct and domestic violence at the university and in its athletic programs. LSU hired the law firm Husch Blackwell to conduct the investigation.

The firm is expected to deliver a report late next week on the findings of the incidents, which cover the tenure of current LSU head coach Ed Orgeron.

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ANOTHER INVESTIGATION

Miles was investigated for sexual harassment in 2013, USA Today reported Wednesday.

USA Today – which unveiled the story in November that sparked a broader investigation – reported the investigation focused on allegations that Miles sexually harassed students and made sexist comments about others. They reported that Miles’ actions were deemed inappropriate, but LSU refused to discipline him.

A request for a copy of the investigation was denied by LSU lawyers, who cited the Louisiana constitution and Miles’ right to privacy. USA Today has since filed a lawsuit against LSU, its attorneys arguing that Miles’ level of fame in Louisiana and prominent position at public university warranted the release of the documents.

Miles’ attorneys joined in the litigation and said the documents “have little relevance to a legitimate matter of public interest.”

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THE STATUS OF THIS PROCEDURE

Baton Rouge District Judge Chip Moore has scheduled a March 30 hearing to determine whether the Miles report should be made public.

New Orleans-based attorneys for Miles J. Christopher Zainey Jr. and Ginsberg had previously filed for a restraining order barring LSU from disclosing the records of the investigation, which was conducted by the law firm Taylor Porter. Moore granted the order, but he and the lawyers each had a chance to review the files.

Counsel for LSU and USA Today remains under orders not to release these documents until Moore makes a decision. It remains to be seen what effect, if any, the order might have on Husch Blackwell’s ability to refer to Taylor Porter’s investigation in his review.

Journalists Andrea Gallo and Brooks Kubena contributed to this report.