U-M pays another $200K, keeps probe secret
U-M adds $200K; probe tops $12M. Jenner & Block review of Sherrone Moore ouster kept secret; regents discuss July 16
The University of Michigan recently paid another $200,000 for a marquee investigation that may drastically change the course of leadership for athletics at the Ann Arbor-based school.
Yet leadership of the public university currently has no intentions of letting you see the findings.
The total cost of the investigation by Chicago-based private law firm Jenner & Block now tops more than $12 million. Hired in late 2025, the firm is tasked with reviewing both the circumstances leading to the ouster of former football head coach Sherrone Moore and, more broadly, the culture of the athletic department
In theory, the Board of Regents could discuss them or take action based on the results at its meeting Thursday, July 16, in Traverse City.
Or the complete findings could remain secret, known only to a select few elected officials and others at the public university.
The Detroit Free Press obtained two new invoices after making requests under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. One, dated June 2, 2026, is for “professional services rendered through May 31, 2026.” While the firm originally billed U-M almost $77,000 on this invoice, a previously agreed to 12.5% discount brought the cost to $67,371.
The second invoice, dated June 22 and also for “professional services rendered through May 31, 2026, is “for more than $148,000.” After the same discount, the cost comes to $130,608.
The university denied a Free Press request for any “findings, conclusions, analysis, deductions or other results” provided by the law firm to the university in relation to the investigation. It also denied a request for communications between the law firm and the university that included updates on work related to the investigations.
In both cases, the university acknowledged having this information but argued releasing it would violate attorney-client privilege. This is a shift from a previous university stance. As recently as June, the university denied similar Free Press requests by suggesting no such documents exist.
“Documents related to these attorney-directed investigations are privileged and confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege,” university spokesman Paul Corliss said in a recent statement.
“Maintaining the confidentiality of these documents preserves the integrity of the investigative process, protects the privacy of those who participated and helps safeguard those individuals from potential retaliation.”
Universities, law enforcement agencies and many other public institutions routinely release records related to highly sensitive subjects. In fact, court and police records provided very specific details about what Moore allegedly did when he entered the home of his former assistant and romantic partner, Paige Shiver, after his firing and the revelation of their affair. Moore ultimately pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges and received probation.
Shiver and her lawyers recently sued the university, arguing they are withholding records related to the investigation in violation of Michigan’s open records laws.
“This public university paid Jenner & Block $12 million to investigate the Sherrone Moore scandal and the abuse, Title IX and Title VII violations within the athletic department and Schembechler Hall, yet now refuses to release the investigation’s findings. It was important for our client to file this initial FOIA lawsuit to ensure the truth and facts come out,” Andrew Stroth, a Chicago-based civil rights lawyer with Action Injury Law Group, said when the lawsuit was filed earlier this month.
Insiders previously told the Free Press that regents were briefed on the findings of the investigation at some point in June. Others also said athletic director Warde Manuel is involved in buyout conversations with the university.
Despite the university not releasing the investigation findings, the Wall Street Journal this week reported several details it said came from the investigation. That includes Manuel allegedly telling Moore in 2024 that Shiver was not allowed to travel with the team. Manuel has repeatedly denied having advance knowledge about Moore’s affair with Shiver.
A story in The Athletic indicated players and staffers reportedly raised concerns about the relationship during preseason camp in 2024. It went on to say there was a complaint filed to human resources in regard to Moore and Shiver working out together in the team facility.
There is no mention of the investigation or Manuel on the Board of Regents’ agenda for the Thursday meeting, but it could still be brought up at any moment. The meeting was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. and was expected to be livestreamed online.
Free Press staff writer Tony Garcia contributed to this report.
Dave Boucher is an investigative reporter with the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected].
