More Accusations Surface Against Former Wisconsin Associate AD
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — University of Wisconsin police have opened an investigation into new allegations against a former athletic official accused of trying to fondle a male student at a pre-Rose Bowl party.
Chancellor David Ward issued a statement Monday saying campus police have been investigating the new claims involving former associate athletic director John Chadima since Jan. 30.
Ward did not specify what Chadima is accused of, saying only that the case involves an adult male and campus police will continue to investigate "all allegations of sexual impropriety or abuse of power brought to their attention."
Ward said the man doesn't want to press charges but police found his story to be credible and are collaborating with Dane County prosecutors. Ward also asked anyone with information about any inappropriate conduct by Chadima to report it.
Vince Sweeney, vice chancellor of university relations, declined to elaborate on the allegations. Campus police Sgt. Aaron Chapin also declined to comment.
Chadima's attorney, Charles Giesen, said he didn't know anything about the allegations.
"I only know what's in the chancellor's release," Giesen said. "It's really vague. It's not clear what the allegation even is."
Ward also said he has asked former Dane County Circuit Judge Patrick Fielder to conduct an independent investigation and deliver a report to him and the Board of Regents.
Fielder led a team that looked into allegations Chadima groped a male student employee at an alcohol-fueled party for university staff and student employees in Los Angeles on Dec. 31. The Badgers played in the Rose Bowl in nearby Pasadena on Jan. 2.
State Rep. Stephen Nass, a Whitewater Republican who chairs the Assembly's higher education committee, issued a statement Monday calling for university officials to open a public investigation into Chadima's tenure at the school.
Last month, the school released an independent report detailing the allegations against Chadima tied to the Dec. 31 party in his hotel suite.
Sometime between 1:30 a.m. and 2 a.m., the alleged victim was leaving along with the last few people left at the party when he said Chadima asked him to "stay here and have a drink with me." The alleged victim said he and Chadima both had several more drinks and "probably were intoxicated," but were coherent and in control of their physical movements.
According to the report, Chadima then said he thought the student was gay, and said some of the other student employees thought he was gay. The student said it made him "uncomfortable and defensive."
The student then said Chadima reached over and removed the student's belt, putting his hands inside the student's pants and touching his genitals. The student said he slapped Chadima's hand away and swore at him.
At that point, the student said Chadima said he thought the student liked it, asking "What are you going to do about it?" and saying, "I could have you fired."
The student said he quickly left the room, and Chadima seemed to want to gloss over the incident as "just joking around."
Chadima was put on administrative leave on Jan. 6 and resigned the same day. He previously issued an apology for a "lapse in judgment," and issued a later statement through his attorney in which he said that "over the past few months alcohol had controlled and consumed my life."
"I will take full responsibility for my lack of judgment and actions that evening," he said.
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