The Virginia Medical School could not "conclusively determine" whether Northam was depicted on a racist photo

The Eastern Virginia Medical School published its report on a photo of two people – one wearing a black face and the other wearing a KKK dress – which appeared on the page of the Governor Ralph Northam's 1984 directory on Wednesday, but she said she could not "conclusively determine" the identity of either person shown.

"With respect to the photo on Governor Northam's personal page, we were unable to determine with certainty the identity of any one or the other of the persons described in the photograph. The governor himself made incoherent public statements in this regard.No person we interviewed told us to his knowledge that the governor is pictured and that no knowledgeable individual has reported to us that the governor was on the picture, "the report told reporters on Wednesday morning.

The photo, which was revealed in early February of this year, sparked a series of protests and widespread calls for Northam, a Democrat, to resign from office.

At a press conference held the day after the photo controversy broke out, Northam said he did not think he was one of the people on the racist photo, but admitted he had darkened once. the face to look like Michael Jackson during a dance competition.

"Yesterday, I took responsibility for the content appearing clearly racist and offensive on my page.I will not excuse the content of the photo.It was offensive, racist and despicable.I saw it for the first time. I was not aware of what was on my page and I was shocked that they appeared on my page, "said Northam during a long press conference at the Executive & # 39; s Virginia, February 2nd.

"I now believe that I am not one of the people in this picture – it's disgusting, offensive, racist," Northam said.

Eastern Virginia Medical School via AP

At a press conference held on Wednesday, Richard V. Homan, president and CEO of the school, said the school had hired an outside law firm, McGuireWoods, to to conduct the investigation in order to "maintain public confidence and ensure an independent and objective assessment of the situation". the past."

"Their publication was hurtful, especially for the African-American community and our university community," said Homan. "It should never have happened."

"Unless we face this fact, this bias and racism will not be alleviated. An uncomfortable silence only perpetuates these problems. We must engage in direct conversations, even if they are uncomfortable, even if they are difficult. Nevertheless, talking is not enough, "added Homan.

The report, led by Richard Cullen, senior associate at McGuireWoods and former Virginia Attorney General and former US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, revealed that no one "knew first-hand a real mistake on one page, including a personal page, in the 1984 Yearbook "and no evidence that the photo was mistakenly placed. The report also identified 10 photographs showing people facing black based on the law firm's review of all school yearbooks, according to investigators.