The National Football League announced on Thursday that they had levied a $2.75 million fine against former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, after completing an investigation into workplace misconduct. Richardson said he would seek to sell the team upon the announcement.
In a June 28 statement, the league claimed that allegations of harassment of employees had been “substantiated” and claimed that the misconduct only involved Richardson and no other employee or team official.
Last year, Richardson was accused of sexual harassment by several women. He was also accused of uttering a racial slur.
Following the release of the statement, Richardson said he would seek to sell the team and removed himself from the day-to-day operations of the club. Panthers Chief Operating Officer Tina Becker has replaced Richardson in the role.
The league announced the conclusion of the investigation conducted by former U.S. Attorney and SEC Chairman Mary Jo White, who was brought onto the case in December of last year.
NFL announcement that former Panthers’ owner Jerry Richardson is being fined $2.5 million after its investigation into Caroline’s workplace environment. pic.twitter.com/dTQonZizen
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 28, 2018
The fine will reportedly go to “support organizations addressing race and gender-based issues and fund league-wide workplace training,” the league said.
The league also noted that the Panthers have developed an anti-harassment and discrimination policy and will train employees to avoid future problems.
Finally, an investigator made recommendations that the NFL prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements. The investigator added that a confidential hotline to report workplace misconduct should be created. The recommendations are set to be considered by the NFL’s conduct committee.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston.
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