ESPN has filed a lawsuit against Ohio State, claiming the school violated public record laws when the network tried to obtain documents related to the Jim Tressel and Terrelle Pryor investigations.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio State allegedly failed to make three different sets of public records available earlier this year.
On April 20, ESPN attempted to obtain e-mails, letters and memos from Tressel, Ohio State President Gordon Gee, director of sports compliance officer Doug Archie and Athletics Director Gene Smith related to Ted Sarniak, a close associate of Pryor’s.
On May 27, Ohio State declined to provide those documents claiming they were prohibited from doing so by the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), according to ESPN’s lawsuit.
In the lawsuit, ESPN says that Ohio State was “aggressive and misguided” and “equal parts cynical and hypocritical” for claiming they are prohibited by FERPA from releasing the communications that concern Sarniak.
Noting that Sarniak is neither a parent or guardian of any player on the team, the lawsuit states that Ohio State hasn’t indicated the records would discuss grades, financial aid or other items covered by FERPA.”
