Lawsuit Makes New Allegations Against UGA Football Program
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ATHENS - Attorneys representing a former UGA Football staffer claim that recruiting staffers drove rented vehicles after consuming alcohol. That's according to documents those attorneys filed Thursday in Gwinnett County.
ESPN, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Athens Banner-Herald all reported the court filings. Attorneys for Victoria Bowles, who survived a car crash that took the life of Chandler LeCroy and Devon Willock, alleged that Georgia assistant coaches took cash to pay for expenses related to recruiting during unofficial recruiting trips, an allegation which would likely violate NCAA bylaws.
"We are reviewing the amended complaint, but we dispute its claims and will vigorously defend the Athletic Association's interest in court," a university spokesperson said in a statement to the Banner-Herald.
The complaint also states that UGA staffers “regularly drank alcohol at UGA football Coach Kirby Smart's residence during recruiting events, and then, in Association SUVs, returned recruits' families and guests back to their lodging. The Association and UGA coaches were well aware that involved alcohol, in Association SUVs.”
Bowles' attorney, Rob Buck, told ESPN: "My client's iPhone survived the crash fully intact and contains thousands of pages of recruiting texts describing the inner workings of UGA's recruiting activities. The new texts included in the Amended Complaint establish that the Association was fully aware recruiting staffers were regularly allowed to drive recruits and their families around Athens after drinking alcohol at Association sponsored events. Some texts even show that football coaches and recruiting supervisors, in effect, encouraged staffers to drink with football prospects' families. The texts contradict the Association's pleadings and public statements to its fan base. The texts document that the Association knowingly allowed football staffers to drive Association SUVs while drinking even if UGA had policies stating otherwise."
In addition, the complaint specifically claims UGA assistant coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe asked Bowles to get $1,000 from an ATM for during a dinner with recruits during a so-called unofficial visit. UGA said in the past that the request was personal for Uzo-Diribe.
In addition, the complaint states that Bowles has suffered more than $170,000 in medical costs.
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