LSU accused of retaliation in suit
In a $50 million federal racketeering lawsuit, an associate athletic director at Louisiana State University accuses university officials of retaliating against her for reporting racist remarks and inappropriate sexual behavior by former head football coach Les Miles.
Sharon Lewis’ lawsuit said she was denied pay raises and subjected to verbal abuse after going to officials with the allegations against Miles — including her accusation that he told her there were “too many Black girls” employed in athletics and an incident when a female student accused him of “getting on top of her” on his office couch. It also accuses LSU officials of working with a law firm to cover up allegations against Miles.
“This lawsuit is a work of fiction eight years in the making,” Miles’ attorney, Peter Ginsberg, said in an emailed statement. Miles has denied allegations he made sexual advances toward students.
Lewis, a former LSU track and field star, is the associate athletic director for football recruiting and alumni relations at LSU.
“We are disappointed that a 20-year employee, who has received several promotions throughout her career and currently serves as Associate Athletic Director, is now filing a lawsuit against the university,” LSU lawyer Winston DeCuir said in an email.
In other news:
• The son of former cyclist Lance Armstrong was charged with sexual assault from 2018 when he was 18, according to an Austin police arrest warrant.
The alleged victim told police in November 2020 she was assaulted by Luke
Armstrong after he drove her from a party to his father’s house. Because she was 16 at the time, Luke Armstrong has been charged with felony sexual assault of a child.
Luke Armstrong’s attorney said Armstrong, now 21, and the girl, now 19, were in a consensual relationship and there was no assault. Armstrong was arrested Tuesday and released on a personal bond, according to court records.
Luke Armstrong was a reserve fullback on the Rice football team in 201819. He opted out of the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic and had not returned for spring practice, a team spokesman said Thursday.