Murdock files whistleblower suit against Rutgers
Eric Murdock filed a wrongful termination suit against Rutgers over his dismissal from the men's basketball program.
Murdock, the team's former director of player development who blew the whistle on fired coach Mike Rice, said in the complaint that athletic director Tim Pernetti disregarded video evidence last year that showed Rice abusing the players, calling them derogatory names, kicking and shoving them, and throwing basketballs at them.
In the suit, Rutgers is accused of six counts of wrongdoing. Murdoch is seeking unspecified damages.
"Neither the University nor its representatives conducted any investigation into Mr. Murdock's complaints of Defendant Rice's unlawful conduct," the complaint alleges. "Instead they chose to simply deny any wrongdoing."
Rice's actions brought a firestorm of controversy this week after ESPN broadcast report revealing his behavior during practices. Rice was fired this week and Pernetti stepped down on Friday in the wake of growing protests over his handling of the situation.
Murdock's suit alleges he was terminated from his job by the university on July 2, 2012. The school contends his contract was not renewed.
"The termination was the direct result of Mr. Murdock's complaints and report of Defendant Rice's unlawful conduct," the complaint states.
