Ohio State
continued from C1 is some question about whether he thought he was denying that there was an incident at all or that Smith was arrested.
Meyer released a statement Friday apologizing for how he handled questions the day after Smith was fired. It also stated he followed all protocols regarding the allegations in 2015.
The attorney for Smith’s ex-wife, Courtney, released a statement Tuesday morn- ing seeking to correct “misin- formation” circulating about her client.
“As her attorney, I can tell you that Ms. Smith is cautiously optimistic that The Ohio State University’s investigative committee will determine if proper reporting protocol was followed upon learning of the ongoing, abuse allegations against Zach Smith,” said Julia Leve- ridge. “We believe the University must prioritize the safety and well-being of oth- ers above all else.
“While The Ohio State University has never contacted Ms. Smith to discuss these allegations, she will fully cooperate with the university’s current investigation.”
Leveridge also denied Courtney Smith has been paid for any media interviews she has granted, said she “has made concerted effort to press charges of domestic abuse against her ex-husband,” and denied her client had been charged with an OVI or any offense.
That news release followed Zach Smith’s attorney, Brad Koffel, criticizing the media’s coverage of the incident and downplaying the significance of the multiple times police were called to the Smith household while they were married.
“I have the facts. I have all the police reports,” Koffel said on a weekly radio show he has hosted on Columbus radio station 610 WTVN for more than a year. “You know what they are? They’re traf- fic violations. Six of them. Another call about an elderly man, 65-year-old, followed the assistant coach’s wife back to her house. She got spooked. Another was a well-being check on the kids. The police showed up and everything was just fine. There are no reports. There are no arrests. OK?”
Koffel also questioned responsibility being assigned to Meyer and OSU director of athletics Gene Smith when the matter was investigated by local law enforcement.
“Mind you the investigating officers with jurisdiction over such matters and a state law that mandates arrests for domestic violence never arrested or charged said assistant coach, but the head coach and now the athletic director are supposed to do more than the police? Since when?” Koffel asked.
Ohio State has named an “independent board” to look into what Meyer knew and how he handled it. Former Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Mary Jo White will lead the investigative team. White is a senior chair with the national law firm Debevoise & Plimpton and a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
The school hopes to have the investigation wrapped up by Aug. 19. OSU opens at home against Oregon State on Sept. 1.