The University of Kentucky found "credible and persuasive" evidence that someone in the school's basketball office placed $1,000 in an envelope being mailed to a recruit's father, according to an in-house investigation.
UK on Friday opened nearly all the pages from an NCAA investigation that led to a three-year probation of the school's storied basketball program.The university released the massive 3-year-old report after the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled 6-1 on April 9 that it wasn't exempt from the state's Open Records Law.
The official response to NCAA charges of recruiting and academic rules violations contained 4,333 pages in nine volumes and weighed 44 pounds.
On the NCAA allegation that former coach Dwane Casey sent an Emery package containing a videotape and 20 $50 bills to Claud Mills, father of recruit Chris Mills, the university said "there is credible and persuasive evidence" that money was enclosed when it left the basketball office on March 30, 1988.
But it noted that "information is sharply disputed" and "the Infractions Committee should give careful consideration to all of the evidence before determining whether the information contained in the allegation is substantially correct as to Coach Casey and to Mr. Mills."
The report recounted the hour the package was picked up in the office, who handled it and Claud Mills' reaction when told by an Emery employee that it contained money.
Casey denied to investigators that he sent any money because "Mr. Mills had reported a series of prank calls from UCLA or UNLV boosters. Coach Casey said he did not take the information seriously," the report said.
It also said that Chris Mills, who played one season at Kentucky, had been "firm in his denial of any knowledge of any money" sent by the university.
The response said it considered a "third party conspiracy" for placing the money in the envelope, but there was "no evidence that any employee was particularly aware of the talents of Chris Mills or harbored any animosity toward the University of Kentucky."
In other areas, the response did not contain information about former player Eric Manuel's academic records "in order to comply with the permanent restraining order of the Federal District Court . . .," according to a letter signed by Donald B. Clapp, Official Records Custodian for the university.
There were also four documents relating to financial-aid data for player Sean Woods "and do not indicate an NCAA violation," stated Clapp's letter, adding that they would be released April 29 if there are no other developments.
Seven news organizations purchased the response for $433.30 each and a copy was placed in the UK library for public reading.
The response included letters to the NCAA by former UK president David Roselle and James Park Jr., special counsel to the university who headed the school's investigation.
It also included transcripts of conversations between investigators and coaches, players and others associated with the athletic program.
After reviewing the responses, the NCAA banned Kentucky from postseason competition for two seasons, no television appearances for one season and limited the program to three scholarships each for two seasons.
Former coach Eddie Sutton and his staff resigned before the NCAA levied its penalty. Casey also was given a conditional five-year suspension from coaching at an NCAA institution by the Infractions Committee.
The Wildcats made their first appearance in the NCAA tournament since the sanctions this past season, losing to eventual champion Duke.