Report: Louisville's law firm hires private detective to investigate ex-AD Jurich

Former Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich and the program that relieved him of his duties amid the Adidas bribery scandal are still at war. Louisville's law firm has hired a private detective agency to investigate Jurich, according to Tim Sullivan of the Courier Journal.

Jurich had served as the athletic director since 1997 and was set to be under contract through 2023, though it was terminated in October following the pay-for-play scandal.

Sullivan also reported that the detective agency approached the Courier Journal "seeking information on any allegations of sexual harassment between Jurich and females involved with the university."

"It is ironic to hire a private investigator to pursue allegations that simply do not exist," Jurich said. "In fact, the implication of an allegation (of sexual harassment) is a bold lie. It is shocking and shameful that someone associated with the University of Louisville has hired a private investigator to pursue a witch hunt against me.

"The University of Louisville has attempted to destroy my reputation over the last six months; the same University in which my family and I gave twenty years of faithful service."

Louisville interim president Greg Postel said the hiring was not his doing, though the law firm hired by the university confirmed the move was a part of its regular process.

"Investigations are a routine part of ongoing or potential litigation," the firm stated.

Postel's letter confirming Jurich's firing for "just cause" in October alleged the former AD was guilty of "willful misconduct" and showed "ineffective management, divisive leadership, unprofessional conduct, and a lack of congeniality best characterized as intimidation and bullying."

Jurich's attorney referred to the the hiring of the private detective as "irregular" for a breach-of-contract dispute.