A group of prominent Baylor University donors say the sexual assault scandal that has rocked the school in recent years could end up costing more than $223 million.
The announcement came at a Tuesday press conference held by the donor group Bears for Leadership Reform, reports wacotrib.com.
The cost projection factors in audits, IRS Form 990s, Equity in Athletics Data Analysis, media reports, information related to settlements with sexual assault victims at other universities and information from the child sex abuse scandal at Pennsylvania State University.
RELATED: Penn State to Pay ‘Scapegoat’ in Jerry Sandusky Case $12M
The financial analysis was completed by Jared Jordan, the managing director of the HSSK LLC law firm.
Baylor has been the center of a massive controversy over its handling of sexual assault reports against student athletes. The scandal led to several employees being forced to step down from their positions, including former Baylor President Kenneth Starr and successful football coach Art Briles.
Additionally, a recent independent investigation revealed at least 19 Baylor athletes have been involved in sexual assault or domestic assault reports since 2011. Baylor officials were aware of at least one of those reports but didn’t inform local police, the school’s judicial affairs or the Title IX office.
Baylor University released a statement in response to the donors’ press conference, which a spokesperson said was also a statement on behalf of board Chairman Ron Murff.
“Beyond confirming Baylor University is and will continue to be strong and financially healthy, we will not respond to such speculation with any further comment,” the statement said.
The analysis came after Bears for Leadership Reform asked for an inquest into the board’s actions leading up to and during the sexual assault scandal. That request was unanimously rejected by the Board of Regents Monday.
“We sit here today with little transparency, no accountability, and it’s time for us to find out the true facts,” prominent Baylor donor John Eddie Williams said at the press conference.
Read Next: Teacher Sues School District After Being Attacked by Parent
