The Colorado football program is being accused of a coverup of domestic violence allegations against assistant coach Joe Tumpkin. A woman who claims to have been abused by the Buffs’ assistant coach says she attempted to contact head coach Mike MacIntyre multiple occasions only to have an email deleted by an assistant of MacIntyre.
According to a notice of claim obtained by The Daily Camera, the woman announced her intention to sue the university and seek $3.7 million in compensation, which would account for $5,000 per day during the entire saga over the span of two years. The abuse allegedly went on from February 2015 through January of this year at university-provided lodging during a university-sponsored trip with boosters and regents. Furthermore, the woman claims to have been on the receiving end of verbal abuse on a phone provided by the university.
“We are prepared to have a jury determine an appropriate amount for the injuries — physical and emotional — sustained,” the woman’s attorney, Peter R. Ginsberg said to The Daily Camera.
According to the legal claim, the woman attempted to contact MacIntyre by email and asked him to contact her regarding an important manner involving Tumpkin. MacIntyre is not directly accused of any wrongdoing, but it is claimed his assistant deleted the emails and that the assistant had a relationship with Tumpkin. MacIntyre did have contact with the alleged victim and it is claimed by the lawsuit the head coach took measures to address the concern with Colorado officials. But at that point, it is claimed MacIntyre then blocked the phone calls from the accuser and did not properly report the claim of abuse.
“Mr. Tumpkin’s abuse, and the university’s failure to address and stop such activity, is a part of a history of ignoring and, indeed, covering up abusive behavior by people associated with the university football team,” Ginsberg wrote.
Making this even uglier for Colorado is the accusation Tumpkin was abusing the woman as a result of a drinking problem the university was allegedly aware of. That would be interesting, considering the recent history just in the Pac-12 involving a coach with an admitted drinking problem (Steve Sarkisian at USC), although this is just an allegation at this point in time.
Colorado is not releasing information regarding the report regarding the allegations that was recently completed. Tumpkin has been forced to resign from his position on the Colorado staff and faces criminal prosecution.
