The saga of former Michigan and Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez has taken another turn.
After he was fired back in January amidst claims he sexually harassed a former employee, Rodriguez is now claiming that not only did he not commit any wrongdoing with said employee, but is now adding that the employee threatened to go public with claims if Rodriguez did not pay her $7.5 million.
From AZCentral.com:
The Republic obtained a copy of the response letter. It says Wilhelmsen's attorney, Augustine Jimenez, called the coach's attorney on Nov. 2 and on Nov. 4, making three allegations of harassment that were not true.
In a follow-up email on Nov. 8, the legal filing said, Jimenez said that it would take "multiple million dollars" to resolve the matter.
Attorneys said Rodriguez brought the extortion allegations to the attention of the university, U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI.
The U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI would not confirm nor deny if they were investigating the extortion claim. A University of Arizona spokesperson said the university could not immediately respond to a request for comment because the issue was a personnel matter.
Attorneys for Rodriguez said the "extortion attempt dragged on for six weeks" before Jimenez finally presented a demand letter for $7.5 million on Dec. 10. The deadline for payment, according to the filing, was Dec. 26, the day before Arizona was to play in the Foster Farms Bowl Game.
"Demanding the payment the day before the Bowl Game was vicious,
cut-throat, and explainable only as the ultimate threat to extort Coach and
Mrs. Rodriguez of the $7.5 million," the legal filing said.
Rodriguez, who has a wife and children, has repeatedly denied any sexual harassment claims, but did admit to an extramarital affair in a statement.
"Regrettably, the complaint included a single truth — in the past, I had a consensual extramarital affair with a woman who is not affiliated with the University. It was wrong, and I have apologized to my wife and family. I am still working incredibly hard to repair the bonds I’ve broken and regain the trust of my wife and children, whom I love dearly," Rodriguez said through his attorney.
It remains to be seen how the matter will be resolved, but this case is certainly not close to being over.
