Harassment scandal at Northwestern University: University publishes report on investigation by former US Attorney General Loretta Lynch into football program

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) – There are developments in the Northwestern University bullying scandal.

The school on Thursday released the results of a report it commissioned after dozens of former football players said they were abused. The allegations led to the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald.

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The school hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to investigate.

Although the report published on Thursday by the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP said that “the results of our investigation were largely positive,” but that investigators found room for improvement in preventing hazing during a nearly year-long investigation. They recommend that the athletic department train more spectators to intervene if they witness hazing.

The school said it is already working on implementing the changes.

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“Some individuals expressed interest in more interactive and scenario-based anti-hazing training, while others felt that a greater emphasis on bystander intervention would be beneficial,” the report said. “Therefore, we recommend that the athletic department explore ways to incorporate more bystander intervention, interactive and scenario-based training into its existing anti-hazing training program.”

Northwestern fired Fitzgerald in July 2023 after 17 seasons amid a hazing scandal that led to lawsuits across multiple sports with allegations including sexual abuse by teammates as well as racist comments from coaches and racist attacks.

Fitzgerald was initially suspended following an investigation by attorney Maggie Hickey of the law firm ArentFox Schiff. That investigation found insufficient evidence that the coaching staff knew about the ongoing hazing, but concluded there was a “significant opportunity” for them to have learned about it. Fitzgerald is suing the school for $130 million, claiming his alma mater wrongfully fired him.

Northwestern hired Lynch in July 2023 to lead an investigation into the culture of its athletic department and its anti-hazing practices.

ESPN contributed to this report.