Attorneys conducting an investigation into allegations that Idaho women’s volleyball head coach Chris Gonzalez regularly physically, verbally and emotionally abused players and that Athletic Director Terry Gawlik ignored or failed to act on those allegations expect to complete their final interviews by Friday, according to emails obtained by the Southern California News Group.
Lawyers for Thompson & Horton, the Texas-based law firm hired by the university to conduct the investigation, have interviewed 37 people and have also “reviewed information provided by players, coaches, other athletic staff, and administrators,” according to an email to Idaho players from Holly G. McIntush, one of the attorneys conducting the investigation.
McIntush said in the email that attorneys have at least four more interviews scheduled and “are also still waiting to hear back from a few other potential witnesses.” Thompson & Horton will also be conducting follow-up interviews this week with individuals who have made specific complaints, according to interviews with current and former Idaho players and emails. McIntush has asked at least four current players to make themselves available for two- to three-hour follow-up interviews this week, according to interviews and emails.
“We are hoping to finish up the fact-gathering portion of the investigation next week and begin preparation of our report after that,” McIntush wrote in an email.
Former and current players said they have not been informed by attorneys or university officials of when a report on the investigation might be completed or whether a report would be shared with them.
McIntush, according to Thompson & Horton’s website, “regularly helps clients develop legally compliant civil rights policies and procedures, advises them as they conduct investigations and hearings under those policies, and defends them in the event a complaint is filed with the Office for Civil Rights or the Equal Employment Opportunity…
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