Report: LSU ignored sexual assault complaints against Guice, other players
LSU officials repeatedly ignored sexual assault complaints against former star running back Derrius Guice and other ex-football players, according to a report from Kenny Jacoby, Nancy Armour, and Jessica Luther of USA Today.
The report states that at least nine football players, including Guice, have been reported to police for sexual misconduct and dating violence since head coach Ed Orgeron's tenure began in 2016.
LSU's athletic department received a rape allegation against Guice during the spring 2016 semester, and reports of a second rape allegation in April 2017. Guice was also accused of taking a partially nude photograph of a female student without her permission during the summer of 2016.
LSU officials failed to report the allegations to the Title IX office for investigation or call the police when federal laws and the school's own policies required it.
USA Today previously reported the two rape allegations made against Guice. He was released by the Washington Football Team in August after being arrested on domestic violence charges relating to three separate incidents.
Additionally, at least seven school officials knew wide receiver Drake Davis was physically abusing his girlfriend, an LSU tennis player, but "sat on the information for months while Davis continued to assault and strangle her."
Davis has been arrested multiple times for battery of a dating partner and domestic abuse. LSU expelled him in July 2019, four months after he pleaded guilty to battery and 10 months after he'd left the school.
"I just think that, honestly, they don't care," one of the women who spoke to USA Today said. "The whole system is on the side of the accused."
LSU acknowledged disciplining two of the nine athletes reported to police, Davis and quarterback Peter Parrish. The school suspended Parrish for one year after he was accused of raping a woman in a car outside a bar earlier this year.
Guice's attorney told USA Today that LSU never disciplined the running back. Running back Tae Provens, linebacker Jacob Phillips, tight end Zach Sheffer, and safety Grant Delpit also were not disciplined, an attorney for the school confirmed.
Provens, Phillips, and Sheffer were all accused of rape. Delpit allegedly recorded a woman during sex without her consent and shared the videos.
LSU wouldn't confirm or deny if two other players accused of dating violence - defensive linemen Davon Godchaux and Ray Parker - faced discipline, citing privacy interests.
"We are unwavering in our commitment to respond promptly to any reports of misconduct, to investigate these reports in a manner that is fair and equitable, to support victims of sexual assault, and to protect the privacy of our students according to the law," LSU said in a statement. "Putting an end to sexual assault is an institutional priority, and we are constantly working to achieve that goal."
The Tigers won the national title last season under Orgeron.