West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey says his office will provide “legal advice and assistance” on the WVU Athletic Department’s Tier 3 media rights issue.
Morrisey released a statement Tuesday:
“Specifically, this office will assist WVU in the ongoing internal review of this issue. Through our engagement, we will help ensure that all applicable laws and regulations are being followed.
“To facilitate this review, WVU has offered to provide the Attorney General’s Office with all necessary information, access, and resources.
“In light of our new engagement with West Virginia University, this Office will not make any further statements at this time.”
The athletic department decided to suspend its RFP process two weeks ago in connection with the Tier 3 contract. IMG College was believed to be the frontrunner for the rights.
Morgantown businessman John Raese, owner of West Virginia Radio Corp., has written letters to WVU President Jim Clements saying the rights should be rebid. Raese has questioned the relationship between WVU Board of Governors Chairman Drew Payne, IMG College and West Virginia Media Holdings, believed to be part of the third tier deal. Payne was an original investor in West Virginia Media and recently said he still has about $500,000 in the company.
Raese also asked AG Morrisey to investigate. In a letter he wrote to Clements on Jan. 21 Raese said.
“My recollection is that he ran on a ‘public integrity’ platform this fall and has initiated a ‘public corruption unit.’ I’m not suggesting at this time that any public corruption took place here but it is obvious to all concerned that the purchasing process for this Proposal was not in compliance with either State or University purchasing rules and regulations. This needs to be looked into by the Attorney General.”
Morrisey’s statement Tuesday points out the AG’s role will be one of “legal advice and assistance” to WVU.
Raese also said in the most recent letter his concerns aren’t based on “sour grapes.” He says his companies will not submit a bid if the current proposal process is canceled and rebid. West Virginia Radio Corp. has distributed Mountaineer football and basketball broadcasts for years.