Excerpts from story by Andrew Carter...
Amid a budget crisis perhaps more severe than any it has faced in its history, Florida State University has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on consulting and attorney fees relating to the university's on-going academic fraud case, according to documents released to the Orlando Sentinel through public records requests.
The university this week is expected to submit its formal appeal of the NCAA Committee on Infractions' ruling that FSU must vacate the victories in 10 sports in which 61 ineligible athletes competed during 2006 and 2007. [Editor's note: As many as 14 of Bobby Bowden's victories are at risk.] FSU officials hope the appeals process helps bring to an end an academic fraud case that has been costly to both the university's reputation and budget.
According to documents FSU released earlier this month, the university has paid more than $200,000 to The Compliance Group, the consulting firm Florida State enlisted in September 2007 to help the university through its investigation.
Florida State also has a contract with the Tallahassee-based Gray Robinson law firm, which is handling FSU's appeal to the NCAA. According to the agreement, the university has agreed to pay Gray Robinson lawyer Bill Williams $300 an hour for his work on the appeal. Andy Bardos, another of the firm's lawyers, is receiving $250 an hour for his work.
Meanwhile, Florida State University President T.K. Wetherell--who didn't return a phone call to his office seeking comment for this story--is attempting to lead FSU through an unparalleled budget crisis. FSU is expecting to lose tens of millions of dollars in funding from the state, and could lose as much as $50 million--or more--depending on the budget that passes through the state Legislature. Such drastic cuts are likely to force FSU to eliminate academic programs and reduce its work force.
Though the FSU athletic department isn't entirely funded by state money, the department is still struggling financially. Ticket sales were down during football season when thousands of seats sat empty during games at Doak Campbell Stadium.
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