Ken Starr: I didn't ignore allegations against Baylor players

Ken Starr plans to accept his demotion from president to chancellor of Baylor, but he says he never ignored allegations of sexual violence involving numerous football players.

"I applaud the Board for its transparency," Starr said in a statement Thursday, following the release of Pepper Hamilton's damning report. "It must be known, however, that I was not privy to any of the allegations regarding interpersonal violence until the Fall of 2015, at which time I immediately launched an internal investigation before recommending to the Board an independent external investigation, which the Board then commissioned with Pepper Hamilton."

While Hamilton's investigative report did not explicitly indict Starr of any wrongdoing in the scandal, it did say university administrators "directly discouraged some complainants from reporting or participating in student-conduct processes and in one instance constituted retaliation against a complainant for reporting sexual assault."

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At least one woman previously alleged she reported assaults against her to Starr, who failed to initiate any action against the player. She also claimed she told coach Art Briles and others associated with the football team, only to see him go undisciplined.

As part of his statement, Starr also apologized to "those victims who were not treated with the care, concern, and support they deserve."