FSU's Williams Not Focused On Investigation
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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — There have been plenty of off-the-field distractions for the Florida State Seminoles football team this season.
Florida State running back Karlos Williams spoke with the media Tuesday for the first time since the Tallahassee Police Department announced he was being investigated for an alleged domestic battery two weeks ago.
"I have great teammates. Great teammates, great family," Williams said. "Try not to focus on those things. Focus on things that I can control, which is school and football. And just try to move on. Try to move forward and progress in life. Things are going to happen, and I have to learn how to roll with the punches and just keep moving forward."
He did not address any specifics of the investigation.
The lawyer for the woman has asked police to end the investigation, but Law enforcement does not need cooperation from a possible victim to investigate. Williams, a senior, has not been charged, arrested or missed playing time.
Florida State would not confirm if it would investigate Williams, citing privacy policies, but university spokeswoman Browning Brooks recently told The Associated Press that "while each set of facts and circumstances is different, as a general matter, notice of any Title IX-related issues would prompt an investigation."
Police confirmed the department was informed of the incident by Florida State general counsel Carolyn Egan. She contacted police after seeing social media posts from the woman.
Federal policy dictates that universities must investigate possible Title IX violations if they are aware.
An investigation by the university would be the latest involving a Florida State football player. Quarterback Jameis Winston is facing a university hearing to determine whether four sections of the code of conduct have been violated — two for sexual misconduct and two for endangerment.
Florida State also is currently being investigated by the Department of Education on how it handles possible Title IX violations. The woman who said Winston assaulted her filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, which decided the university should be investigated for possible Title IX violations over the way it responds to sexual violence complaints.
Title IX is a federal statute that bans discrimination at schools that receive federal funding. The Department of Education in 2011 warned schools of their legal responsibilities to immediately investigate allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence, even if the criminal investigation has not concluded.
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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