Former Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson Is Fined $2.75 Million By The NFL

CHARLOTTE, NC.– Former Panthers owner Jerry Richardson is fined $2.75 million by the NFL after an investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct. Allegations included sexual harassment involving former employees and use of a racial slur with a team scout. Friends of Richardson are speaking out about the outcome of the investigation.

“You’re going to remember two things, the man who brought the team here he gave it to us, it was great and, he did these things that no man has a right to do,” says sports writer Tom Sorensen.

Sorensen says Richardson’s legacy is tainted. Allegations of workplace misconduct surfaced in December. Soon after, the Panthers founder and owner announced he would sell the team, the NFL hired former US Attorney Mary Jo White to investigate.

White says: “The findings and recommendations that I have shared with the Commissioner are the product of an extensive review, including interviews with club executives, current and former employees, analysis of documents, electronic records, and other sources of information.”

“What it did was it said that everything people have said, was true,” says Sorensen.

Richardson’s fine is being distributed to organizations addressing race and gender-based issues in and out of the workplace. One of those is in Charlotte. Beauty for Ashes Ministry Inc. is a faith based non-profit offering spiritual counseling to victims of domestic violence.

“To be able to have this funding because it will help us extend the ministry and I’m sad and by the way it comes to us but some good will come out of it,” says Founder Reverend Marguerite Lee.

The investigation confirmed that the Panthers did not report the allegations to the league. Mary Jo White made several recommendations to the NFL. Including requiring any workplace misconduct issues be reported to the league. She also suggests prohibiting the use of nondisclosure agreements.