An NCAA filing shows that the University of Illinois spent more than $650.000 for a Chicago law firm to investigate racial discrimination and abuse accusations in the women's basketball program.
Pugh, Jones and Johnson received the payment for its more than two-month investigation. In July the firm provided a 226-page report in which it cleared coach Matt Bollant and the school of wrongdoing.
Athletic director Mike Thomas says it was "critically important" that the university have an outside investigation. Thomas says although the report found no wrongdoing, the department has been making changes based on its recommendations.
UI spokesman Kent Brown says the money will come from the athletic department's general operating expenses fund. Women's basketball is UI's least profitable program.
