A $4 million settlement has been reached in a racial discrimination lawsuit against the University of Iowa football program. But some of that money must be paid by Iowans. The settlement has Iowa taxpayers paying about $2 million, something State Auditor Rob Sand strongly opposes. Meanwhile, Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz said he's disappointed the lawsuit didn't go to trial, even though Ferentz and other coaches were dismissed from the lawsuit. The racial discrimination lawsuit was filed against Iowa's Athletic Department by a group of Black University of Iowa football players in November 2020. Claims against Kirk Ferentz and Brian Ferentz were recently dismissed. The settlement agreement has the department pay out just over $2 million, with taxpayers paying the remaining $2 million. Sand says this is the fourth discrimination suit filed against Iowa's Athletic Department in less than nine years — all under Gary Barta's leadership. He argues that taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for this mistake."There comes a certain point when an institution has to communicate to the public that it's not just a group of insiders protecting each other," Sand said. "And that's what I think the settlement feels like, unless Barta is gone." The appeal board approved the settlement on Monday afternoon. The board consists of three people. Sand was the only one who voted no. After the vote, Sand expressed his disappointment in a statement. Sand said, in part: "In addition to milking taxpayers, this settlement does nothing to reverse a pattern of discrimination that could cost hard-working Iowans even more in the future." the bill for repeated misconduct." Iowa Treasurer Roby Smith was one of the board members who voted yes. Before casting his vote, he said, "Any form of discrimination is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. I urge the university to reconsider its relationship with Gary Barta, Brian Ferentz and others named in recent lawsuits. Iowans expect better. Iowans deserve better.” Kraig Paulson, director of the Iowa Department of Management, also voted yes. “We are not here to make an employment decision. We're here to make a decision about what's in the best interest of Iowa, and it seems to me, on the recommendation of the attorney general, that this is the wise decision to make," Paulson said. Kirk Ferentz released the following statement to the media on Monday : “I am very disappointed with how this legal matter was resolved. However, I am grateful for the many players, parents, donors, fans and others who remained supportive of our coaches and program during this time. settlement negotiations took place between the plaintiff's attorney and the Iowa Attorney General's Office, which represents the University of Iowa and the Board of Regents. These discussions took place completely without the knowledge or consent of the coaches named in the lawsuit. In fact, the original named parties disagree with the settlement decision, fully believing that the case would have been dismissed with prejudice before trial. "A motion for summary judgment was filed outlining why the case should have been dismissed. Unfortunately, this settlement was reached between the plaintiff's attorneys and the Iowa Attorney General's Office before the judge had an opportunity to rule on the motion. We have been told know. the reason for the settlement is financial. As part of the settlement, the named coaches were dismissed from the lawsuit and there is no admission of any wrongdoing." For more than two years, our program has been unfairly and negatively affected by these allegations. Members of staff had their character and reputation tarnished by former members of our team who said things and then retracted many statements when questioned under oath. Today we are moving forward. My focus is solely on the players, coaches and staff as we prepare for the 2023 season."
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<strong class="dateline">DES MOINES, Iowa —</strong> <p>A $4 million settlement has been reached in a racial discrimination lawsuit against the University of Iowa football program. But some of that money must be paid by Iowans.
The settlement has Iowa taxpayers paying about $2 million, something State Auditor Rob Sand strongly opposes.
Meanwhile, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said he’s disappointed the lawsuit didn’t go to trial, even though Ferentz and other coaches were dismissed from the lawsuit.
The racial discrimination suit was filed against Iowa’s Athletic Department by a group of Black University of Iowa football players in November 2020. Claims against Kirk Ferentz and Brian Ferentz were recently dismissed.
The settlement agreement has the department paying out just over $2 million, with taxpayers paying the remaining $2 million.
Sand says this is the fourth discrimination suit filed against Iowa’s athletic department in less than nine years — all under Gary Barta’s leadership.
He argues that taxpayers should not be on the hook for this mistake.
“There’s a certain point when an institution has to communicate to the public that it’s not just a group of insiders protecting each other,” Sand said. “And that’s what I think the settlement feels like, unless Barta is gone.”
The appeal board approved the settlement on Monday afternoon. The board consists of three people. Sand was the only one who voted no.
After the vote, Sand expressed his disappointment in a statement.
Sand said, in part: “In addition to milking taxpayers, this settlement does nothing to reverse a pattern of discrimination that could cost hard-working Iowans even more in the future.”
He added, “Enough is enough. Iowans shouldn’t have to pay the bill for repeated bad behavior.”
Iowa Treasurer Roby Smith was one of the board members who voted yes. Before casting his vote, he said, “Any form of discrimination is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. I urge the university to reconsider its relationship with Gary Barta, Brian Ferentz and others named in recent lawsuits. Iowans expect better. Iowans deserve better.” ”
Kraig Paulson, director of the Iowa Department of Management, also voted yes.
“We’re not here to make a hiring decision. We’re here to make a decision about what’s in the best interest of Iowa, and it seems to me, on the recommendation of the attorney general, that this is the wise decision to make,” said Paulson.
Kirk Ferentz released the following statement to the media on Monday:
“I am very disappointed in how this legal matter was resolved. However, I am grateful to the many players, parents, donors, fans and others who remained supportive of our coaches and program during this time.
“The settlement negotiations took place between the plaintiff’s attorney and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, which represents the University of Iowa and the Board of Regents. These discussions took place entirely without the knowledge or consent of the coaches named in the lawsuit. Indeed, the parties originally named are disagreed with the decision to settle, fully believing that the case would have been dismissed with prejudice before trial.
“A motion for summary judgment was filed outlining why the case should have been dismissed. Unfortunately, this settlement was reached between the plaintiff’s attorneys and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office before the judge had an opportunity to rule on the motion. We have been told vide. The reason for the settlement is financial. As part of the settlement, the said coaches were dismissed from the lawsuit and there is no admission of any wrongdoing.
“For more than two years, our program has been unfairly and adversely affected by these allegations. Members of staff had their character and reputation tarnished by former members of our team who said things, then retracted many statements when questioned under oath .
Today we are moving forward. My focus is solely on the players, coaches and staff as we prepare for the 2023 season.”
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