07-10-2021, 08:28 AM
Just because he is no longer at the uni.
“Title IX and sexual misconduct complaints filed against a former Memphis wide receivers coach included accusations of inappropriate text messages and in-person sexual advances.
Memphis' Office for Institutional Equity completed an investigation into the allegations against John Simon, but because he is no longer a school employee, the case has been closed and no further action will be taken against him.
The Commercial Appeal learned about the findings of the investigation through a public records request.
“Normally, at this phase of the grievance process we would schedule a hearing to determine if you violated the University's Interim Sexual Harassment & Sex/Gender-Based Misconduct policy,” OIE director and chief compliance officer Tiffany Baker Cox wrote in a letter to Simon. “However, since you are no longer employed by the University, after consultation with and agreement by the Complainants, OIE has elected to administratively close the complaints ... ”
A similar statement was sent to the two persons named in each complaint. The names were redacted in the letter.
Simon, who was hired after the 2018 season, submitted his resignation to coach Ryan Silverfield on March 15 through his attorney Ricky E. Wilkins, effective April 1. He had been placed on administrative leave Feb. 22 with no pay.
The first complaint against Simon was filed on Feb. 20 by then-director of football operations Sam Curtis and stated that an unidentified person alleged Simon sent “inappropriate text messages” and made “in person sexual advances.”
A second complaint was filed by Curtis on Feb. 22 on behalf of a second person who reported “multiple cases of sexual harassment” from Simon that “occurred over the last few months.”
Through Wilkins, Simon denied all allegations made against him in a statement made April 13. Wilkins told The Commercial Appeal that while Simon continues to stand behind his initial statement, they consider the matter closed.
“Coach Simon came forward and tried to be transparent and responded to questions and he did. We put this behind us and we’ve moved on,” Wilkins said.
“Title IX and sexual misconduct complaints filed against a former Memphis wide receivers coach included accusations of inappropriate text messages and in-person sexual advances.
Memphis' Office for Institutional Equity completed an investigation into the allegations against John Simon, but because he is no longer a school employee, the case has been closed and no further action will be taken against him.
The Commercial Appeal learned about the findings of the investigation through a public records request.
“Normally, at this phase of the grievance process we would schedule a hearing to determine if you violated the University's Interim Sexual Harassment & Sex/Gender-Based Misconduct policy,” OIE director and chief compliance officer Tiffany Baker Cox wrote in a letter to Simon. “However, since you are no longer employed by the University, after consultation with and agreement by the Complainants, OIE has elected to administratively close the complaints ... ”
A similar statement was sent to the two persons named in each complaint. The names were redacted in the letter.
Simon, who was hired after the 2018 season, submitted his resignation to coach Ryan Silverfield on March 15 through his attorney Ricky E. Wilkins, effective April 1. He had been placed on administrative leave Feb. 22 with no pay.
The first complaint against Simon was filed on Feb. 20 by then-director of football operations Sam Curtis and stated that an unidentified person alleged Simon sent “inappropriate text messages” and made “in person sexual advances.”
A second complaint was filed by Curtis on Feb. 22 on behalf of a second person who reported “multiple cases of sexual harassment” from Simon that “occurred over the last few months.”
Through Wilkins, Simon denied all allegations made against him in a statement made April 13. Wilkins told The Commercial Appeal that while Simon continues to stand behind his initial statement, they consider the matter closed.
“Coach Simon came forward and tried to be transparent and responded to questions and he did. We put this behind us and we’ve moved on,” Wilkins said.