OU has paid over half a million dollars to Jones Day over the last five months, and the law firm created a report over 50 pages long on its findings after investigating whether former OU President David Boren acted inappropriately towards male aides and male students, The Oklahoman reported May 6.
An April 24 payment to Jones Day for $166,814 follows a December payment of $193,681 and a March payment of $200,998, totaling $561,493 according to the report.
The payments span Jones Day's investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Boren and another former administrator, as well as the law firm's findings of donation data misreporting during Boren's administration.
The university told The Oklahoman via email that employing Jones Day “ensures the highest levels of objectivity and expertise,” according to the report.
The Oklahoman's report also said Boren could face sanctions if the university decides he acted inappropriately, listing the loss of his emeritus status as one possible sanction.
The university has declined to comment on any findings from Jones Day. Jess Eddy and Levi Hilliard, two former OU students alleging misconduct by Boren and former vice president for University Development Tripp Hall, gave a statement to the media at an April 26 special meeting of the OU Board of Regents demanding that the Jones Day report be released.
Jones Day is not obligated to report any crimes it may discover during its investigation to authorities.
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation began its own investigation into criminal allegations against Boren and Hall, The Daily reported March 28.
Read the full story from The Oklahoman here.
Update: This story was updated at 11:27 a.m. to reflect that the university's payments to Jones Day cover multiple investigations.
