The University of South Carolina is not the target of the Department of Justice investigation after Lamont Evans, a former assistant basketball coach for USC, was charged in a bribing scandal, according to a statement made Friday by Ray Tanner, USC's athletics director.
Tanner's statement also said the university has not received information that any other staff members, current or otherwise, are under federal investigation.
The school will hire a third party investigator "to conduct a review of the issues that relate to the federal investigation", Tanner's statement said.
Here is Tanner's full statement:
"The University of South Carolina has been made aware that it is not the target of the Department of Justice investigation and we have received no information to indicate that any current or former member of the USC staff is involved in the federal investigation, other than the previously identified former assistant coach, Lamont Evans.
To proactively demonstrate our commitment to integrity and compliance, we will hire an independent third party that specializes in NCAA matters to conduct a review of the issues that relate to the federal investigation. Our review will be conducted in coordination with the Department of Justice and the NCAA in a collaborative manner.
The Athletics Department has an extensive education and monitoring program and conducts regular training sessions with coaches and student athletes on NCAA rules. Our efforts have been praised and we expect this review will affirm that once again.
We thank our fans for their continued support of Gamecock Basketball and look forward to the opening exhibition game October 30 at Colonial Life Arena."