Attorney for Todd Golden releases statement after Title IX investigation dismissed

The attorney for Florida head basketball coach Todd Golden has released a statement after the Title IX investigation into Golden was dismissed on Monday.

The statement from attorney William Shepherd about Todd Golden and the investigation into him reads as follows:

“The University of Florida informed me that the Title IX investigation into Coach Todd Golden has finally been dismissed. This investigation has found no evidence to support the allegations against coach Golden. The University’s conclusion proves that the complaint was meritless.

Coach Golden and I have respected the process throughout while actively engaging with the University. However, there were many who did not respect the investigative process. Instead, they sought to target Coach Golden and drive their agenda and this investigation for their own self-interest. Some leaked confidential material to the media; falsely posed as a UF lawyer in an effort to intimidate; harassed UF students and parents to try to generate a false narrative; and harassed my client, his family, and his friends.

Coach Golden appreciates the support he and his program have received from so many at the University and from around the country. Now that this is concluded, Coach can continue to focus on the basketball season and consider his legal options in the off season — but now it’s time to move forward.”

In November, Florida men’s basketball head coach Todd Golden confirmed he was under investigation following allegations of sexual harassment, stalking and cyberstalking from multiple women, including students.

Despite the investigation, Golden continued to serve as Florida’s head coach this season. As of this report, the Gators are 18-2 and 5-2 in conference play. Nonetheless, the discussion surrounding the investigation into Golden hasn’t quieted.

Todd Golden was accused by an unknown number of women of sexual harassment and stalking, according to a report from Florida’s student newspaper, The Alligator.

The allegations included sexual exploitation, sexual harassment and stalking aimed at Florida students for over a year, according to a formal Title IX complaint obtained by The Alligator.

The University of Florida administration didn’t comment to The Alligator, citing federal law that prevents them from confirming or commenting on Title IX processes.

The Alligator also reported on the purported nature of the alleged sexual harassment outlined in the complaint, which reportedly included “unwanted sexual advances on Instagram, requesting sexual favors, sending photos and videos of his genitalia while traveling for UF and various occasions of stalking.”

Golden is also alleged to have gone to various locations he knew the women would be, as well as taking pictures of them or their vehicles and sending them to them, according to the report. He is also alleged to have used Instagram to try and engage with the women, liking a post and quickly unliking it, but still causing a notification, according to the report.