According to an attorney for the woman who accused Jameis Winston of sexual assault, Florida State investigated his client in August and he expects the university to bring code of conduct charges against Winston.
John Clune told USA Today that the interview was "lengthy."
"They assured us that the Title IX process was going to move forward," said John Clune, a Title IX attorney representing the woman. "The interview went pretty well. I think it was a positive experience, and everyone felt like the university was taking it very seriously."
Clune said the lengthy interview with his client gave FSU more information than it previously had from the Tallahassee police department investigation. He said FSU officials interviewed two other people but that he does not know if Winston has been interviewed.
"We expect that there will be code of conduct charges that will be brought," he said. "There's no basis not to bring those charges now."
Winston was accused of sexual assault in December 2012, but nearly a year later, Florida state attorney Willie Meggs declined to charge Winston with a crime, citing a lack of evidence in the case. The case was brought up in November 2013 after a lengthy delay.
Winston's attorney had maintained that the sex was consensual.
A Florida State spokesperson told USA Today the school could not discuss individual Title IX cases because of privacy laws. If Winston is charged by the university and found to have violated the school's code of conduct he could be suspended. However, the effect of any potential punishment on the 2014 season wouldn't be known until the case proceeds further and if and when charges are brought against him.
In March, Clune said he expected Winston to be called as a witness into the disciplinary hearing of teammates Chris Casher and Ronald Darby, who were present that night and said he was told by the university that Winston would be called. However, Winston was not in attendance and his attorney said he was told that he didn't have to be there.
The Department of Education opened an investigation into the case in April after the woman, who is not a Florida State student, filed a complaint.
Another lawer for the woman said in April that he was told the school had suspended its investigation into Winston in April after he would not cooperate. Winston was questioned by Florida State officials in January. In his recent interview with USA Today, Clune tried to portray FSU's investigation into Winston as an inter-university power struggle.
"I think the issue is there are definitely some people at this university that really want to do the right thing and want to comply with the law," Clune said. "But it seems like there's a power struggle between those folks and people that would be just fine to just see this go away.
"We're dealing with one of the most powerful athletic departments in the country with the No. 1 football team in the nation and I think we'll know very shortly how much control that athletic department has."
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Accuser's attorney says he expects FSU to bring code of conduct charges against Jameis Winston
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