CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Panthers are investigating workplace misconduct allegations against founder and owner Jerry Richardson.
The team said Friday former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles is overseeing the investigation by a Los Angeles-based law firm.
Team spokesman Steven Drummond said in a release that the Panthers and Mr. Richardson take the allegations very seriously and are fully committed to a full investigation and taking appropriate steps to address and remediate any misconduct.
“The entire organization is fully committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable and diverse work environment where all individuals, regardless of sex, race, color, religion, gender, or sexual identity or orientation, are treated fairly and equally,” Drummond said in the release. “We have work to do to achieve this goal, but we are going to meet it.”
The 81-year-old Richardson was unavailable for comment.
Drummond told The Associated Press that because the matter is under legal review, the Panthers cannot comment publicly on the specifics of the allegations.
The Panthers made the NFL aware on Friday that it has initiated an investigation into Richardson’s alleged workplace misconduct.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league has no comment at this time.
The investigation against the team’s only owner in franchise history is being led by international law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart and Sullivan, LLP, and will be overseen by Bowles, who is a minority owner.