U to investigate leak in sex harassment case involving athletic department official

A top University of Minnesota athletic official who oversees Gophers fundraising has violated the school's sexual harassment policy, according to the results of an internal investigation, a source confirmed Thursday.

The nature of the violation involving Randy Handel, an associate athletic director, has not been disclosed. It's also not known who accused him or whether he's been disciplined. The university placed him on paid leave Tuesday.

U officials, including those on the Board of Regents, said Thursday that they won't comment on reports of an investigation by the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA), saying personnel issues are private. Attempts to reach Handel at his home, his office and by phone were unsuccessful.

News of the EOAA investigation and finding was first reported Wednesday by KSTP-TV, which said it got information from a U regent who provided contents of an e-mail on the condition of anonymity.

Regents, incensed that information was leaked, met behind closed doors Thursday and agreed to launch an investigation to determine who provided the e-mail to the TV station.

Jim Carter, a onetime Gophers football star who ran unsuccessfully for regent, said he learned about the investigation at least three weeks ago. He declined to identify the person who gave him the information but added, "It didn't come from a regent." Carter said he didn't see the report but was told "the EOAA found in favor of the victim."

The 12 regents and U employees who had access to the memo are being asked to sign affidavits stating they did not share the confidential memo or its contents with reporters or anyone else. The board also will hire outside counsel and experts to conduct a forensic investigation of electronic communications of people who had access to the memo.

"We strive to uphold tremendous fiduciary responsibilities that require us always to act professionally and ethically, and to maintain privacy and other legal expectations," said Dean Johnson, the board chairman. "So it is greatly disappointing that we are faced with the potential that a member of the university community may have betrayed the public's trust.

"That's why members of the board believe strongly that we need to investigate any potential leaks of private and confidential information," Johnson added. "We will get to the bottom of this and take necessary action as we become aware of the facts."

U officials are asking KSTP to publicly reveal its source, saying they are "legally releasing" the TV station from its apparent agreement of confidentiality with the board member.

In a prepared statement, the station said it regularly relies on sources, including confidential ones. "Consistent with First Amendment principles and federal and state law, KSTP-TV protects the identity of its confidential sources to the fullest extent of the law," the statement said.

The investigation into Handel's conduct is the latest in a series of troubles at the U's athletic department, including sexual misconduct by several Gophers football players and the resignation of former athletic director Norwood Teague over incidents of sexual harassment.

On Thursday, U officials stressed that they take sexual harassment seriously.

Johnson asked Gophers fans to be patient. "This university will be straightforward and we will be transparent as we go forward," he said, adding that the U will "not subscribe" to any level of sexual harassment.

Johnson praised athletic director Mark Coyle for doing an "excellent job" in trying to change the culture within U athletics.

Several university leaders and regents, on campus for Thursday's meetings, declined to discuss the situation. School officials said Coyle and President Eric Kaler will not speak publicly on the matter.

Some Gophers boosters expressed shock about the investigation of Handel, including former hockey player Lou Nanne. "No way in the world," Nanne said. "He's the most compassionate, warm person. He hugs me a thousand times. He's a hugger. But he would never, ever harass anyone. I'm just flabbergasted that the university would go ahead with this. This is a guy who cries during the national anthem."

Gophers basketball booster club President Jim Cormier said Handel was always very professional when working with his group.

"Very surprised by the news," Cormier said. "We've had a great working relationship with him over the years with the Golden Dunkers. It's hard to believe he would be involved in anything like we're hearing."

Major U donor Dick Ames, founder of Ames Construction, attended a final beam-placing ceremony for the Athletes Village facility project with Handel late last month on campus.

"There's always something going on over there," Ames said. "But there's also always two sides of the story. I haven't heard his side of it yet. I can't imagine Randy doing anything like that."

Handel was promoted twice by Teague and assumed the associate athletic director position in 2013. Handel manages the Golden Gopher Fund and all fundraising activity, according to his U bio.

Teague resigned in August 2015 after sexual harassment claims against him from two U employees. He was accused of inappropriately touching two women at a university-sponsored event and sending a slew of graphic texts to one of the women. Teague acknowledged his actions and sought help for substance abuse; the university conducted an investigation into his behavior.

Handel, a Wisconsin native, came to Minnesota in June 2010 as a major gift development officer and led fundraising for Siebert Field. He made $145,000 in 2015, according to U records. He is married and has two children.

Staff writers Beatrice Dupuy and John Reinan contributed to this report.