How the NCAA Got Subpoena Power in the Miami Case
Bruce Feldman of CBSSports.com got an exclusive interview with Sean Allen, the former Miami equipment manager who was befriended by Nevin Shaprio and delivered many of the extra benefits provided by the former Miami booster and convicted Ponzi-schemer. The article includes many interesting nuggets but few as revealing about the NCAA as this one:
Allen told CBSSports.com that when he arrived with his attorney to give his deposition in December, 2011, he was “shocked” to see an NCAA investigator in the room. Allen says his attorney had the guy leave the room, but in reality, that didn’t make a difference because the NCAA, he suspects, had already given Shapiro’s attorney questions to ask him. The NCAA doesn’t have subpoena power, as Allen realized. And now he was under oath.
As much as the NCAA is accused of piggybacking on the work of investigative reporters, the enforcement staff has made huge strides in the last few years to close that gap. But making up for the lack of certain legal tools means that for now, the NCAA will continue to try and be closely involved with there is a legal proceeding occurring alongside an NCAA investigation.