Carolina Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson Under Investigation For Workplace Misconduct

Just days after employees at NFL Network were accused for sexual harassment, Carolina Panthers announced on Friday that the team has begun an investigation into “allegations of workplace misconduct” made against the team’s owner, Jerry Richardson.

Here’s the statement released by the Panthers:

The Carolina Panthers today announced it has commenced an internal investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct against the team’s owner and founder, Jerry Richardson. The investigation is being led by the outside international law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart and Sullivan, LLP, and will be overseen by limited owner and former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles.

“The Carolina Panthers and Mr. Richardson take these allegations very seriously and are fully committed to a full investigation and taking appropriate steps to address and remediate any misconduct,” team spokesman Steven Drummond said.  “The entire organization is fully committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable and diverse work environment where all individuals, regardless of sex, race, color, religion, gender, or sexual identity or orientation, are treated fairly and equally. We have work to do to achieve this goal, but we are going to meet it.”

Because this matter is under an ongoing legal review, the Carolina Panthers cannot comment publicly on the specifics of the allegations.

“Erskine Bowles is a trusted leader of unquestioned integrity. We look forward to this report, which we know will be honest and thorough,” Drummond said.

Richardson has owned the Panthers since they became a franchise in 1996 and is the only former NFL player within the league’s ownership fraternity.

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