• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Friday, May 9, 2025
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home State Government

Taxpayers to pay $2 million of UI’s settlement in racial discrimination lawsuit

Iowa taxpayers will need to pay $2 million to former University of Iowa football players who said Coach Kirk Ferentz oversees a racially discriminatory culture.

Mary StrokabyMary Stroka
March 7, 2023
in State Government
Reading Time: 2 mins read
Taxpayers to pay $2 million of UI’s settlement in racial discrimination lawsuit

Iowa Hawkeyes Football Offensive Coordinator Brian Ferentz before the Iowa-Iowa State game on September 10, 2022.
Photo Credit: Shane Vander Hart

(The Center Square) – Iowa taxpayers will need to pay $2 million to former University of Iowa football players who said Coach Kirk Ferentz oversees a racially discriminatory culture.

RELATED POSTS

Reynolds signs bill enacting flat tax in 2025

Reynolds joins bipartisan opposition to Biden Administration’s Space Force proposal

Iowa lawmakers enact flat tax for 2025

The State Appeal Board voted 2-1 to approve a $4.175 million settlement Monday afternoon, The Athletic reported. About $1.9 million will go to attorney fees and court costs, the media outlet said.

Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand voted against the settlement. In a March 3 memo that the Iowa State Auditor’s office provided to The Center Square, Sand asked the other two members of the State Appeal Board to join him in voting against it.

“Under Gary Barta’s leadership at the University of Iowa Athletics Department, we’ve had Peter Gray scandal plus three instances of discrimination totaling nearly $7 million in damages (setting aside other suits),” he said. “After the largest settlement, Barta asserted no wrong was done. Now we have a new matter for $4 million more, and for the first time they want part paid from the taxpayers’ General Fund, even though they now collect tens of millions annually thru the Big Ten TV deal.”

He said that clear personal accountability is necessary and that real accountability would help prevent discrimination, which would also protect taxpayers.

“I will not support taxpayers funding this settlement unless Gary Barta is no longer employed at the University and forfeits any severance or similar pay,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

State Treasurer Roby Smith, who along with Department of Management Director Kraig Paulsen voted for the settlement, said he made that decision to avoid having taxpayers face more liabilities through going to trial, The Gazette reported. He said the university should “re-examine” its relationship with Athletics Director Gary Barta, Offensive Coordinator Brian Ferentz and others named in prior lawsuits since discrimination is unacceptable, according to the news agency.

Paulsen said legislators should decide whether state money should cover university settlements, The Des Moines Register reported.

Civil rights attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons’ firm will receive the full settlement amount, and each of the 12 players who signed the settlement agreement will receive about $1.84 million.

Tags: Brian FerentzGary BartaIowa Hawkeyes FootballKirk FerentzKraig PaulsenRob SandRoby SmithState Appeals BoardUniversity of Iowa
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Hinson: Reining in the Biden Administration’s regulatory regime

Next Post

Hendrickson: Hands off! Taxpayer Relief Fund belongs to the taxpayers

Mary Stroka

Mary Stroka

Mary Stoka is a freelance writer, editor, journalist, and public relations professional who lives in Chicago, Ill.

Related Posts

Sand: Iowans must stand with victims
Opinion

Sand: Iowans must stand with victims

April 16, 2024
Opinion

Hendrickson: The path remains clear for more tax reform

March 26, 2024
State Government

Despite tax cuts, Revenue Estimating Conference says state’s financial position is strong

December 13, 2023
State Government

With lawmaker approval, some Iowa commission members could receive stipend

December 5, 2023
State Treasurer Roby Smith Smith announces $235 million earned for Iowa
State Government

State Treasurer Roby Smith Smith announces $235 million earned for Iowa

July 24, 2023
Editorial: Sand Used the State Auditor’s Office to Play Politics
Opinion

Vander Hart: Tying the State Auditor’s hands

May 1, 2023
Next Post
Iowa House approves 2.5 percent funding increase for school districts

Hendrickson: Hands off! Taxpayer Relief Fund belongs to the taxpayers

Feenstra: Our trade deficit threatens our economic security

Recommended Articles

Pate launches updated ‘Voter Ready’ website ahead of general election

Pate launches updated ‘Voter Ready’ website ahead of general election

September 29, 2022

Iowa Legislature passes six-week abortion ban for second time

July 12, 2023

Miller-Meeks: The time for practical energy solutions is now

April 11, 2024

Popular Stories

  • Three LGTBQ Books with Sexually Explicit Material Pulled from Waukee School

    Three LGTBQ Books with Sexually Explicit Material Pulled from Waukee School

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Rozenboom: Reflecting on the First Week of the 2021 Legislative Session

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa Dept. of Health & Human Services fill two leadership roles

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Reynolds Appoints Joshua Schier as District Court Judge

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Fauci ends taxpayer-funded experiments on dogs

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Current Events
  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government

Newsletter

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.