Cover-up in Pullman? Documents allege concerns about Gesser were known

(STORY IMAGE:KHQ.COM)

SPOKANE, Wash. -Following a sexual misconduct investigation centered on former WSU quarterback, Jason Gesser, there are questions about who knew what and when.

According to documents obtained by KHQ, legendary Cougs quarterback, Jack Thompson, told a WSU employee to "stay in your lane" when concerns about Gesser were brought forward.

Documents state that Matt Almond, who is the manager of WSU IMG Sports Network, told investigators that, "Jack Thompson told me to stay in my lane, and his job is to keep this from getting to the president's desk."

Records also show that when Thompson found out about the concerns he called deputy athletic director, Mike Marlow, regarding the situation and indicated that they needed to "fall in line."

Thompson, a friend of WSU President Dr. Kirk Schulz, was appointed to a search committee to find the new director of athletics. Thompson is not employed by the University, and therefore not obligated to say anything.

But John Johnson, who was the Interim Director of Athletics at the time, is obligated to say something.

According to records, Almond tried to talk to Johnson about his concerns regarding Gesser. Documents say Johnson told Almond that he "didn't know anything and he didn't want to know anything," regarding the complaints.

The report also shows that President Schulz knew about the allegations against Gesser on December 1, 2017, but the investigation didn't start until more than a month later.

Gesser officially resigned from his position in the University's athletic department Tuesday.

The announcement came just hours after former volleyball player, 27-year-old Alyssa Wold-Bodeau, went public with new allegations that Gesser made unwanted sexual advances toward her after a fundraising event in 2015.

WSU's Office of Equal Opportunity stated in the report that they are concerned with the responses current and former employees received when they tried to report allegations against Gesser to their superiors.

KHQ has reached out to President Schulz, Thompson, Johnson, and a spokesperson for the University for comment. Those phone calls, e-mails, and text messages have not been returned at this time.


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