Rutgers Pays Law Firm $470K To Investigate Gymnastic Team Complaints

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Rutgers University has now hired an outside law firm to investigate complaints from students that the women's gymnastics team is run by "toxic" head coach Umme Salim-Beasley, who, according to a report, led a culture of bullying on the team.

Until now, Salim-Beasley has never responded to the allegations from her former players.

"I can confirm that an external investigation will be conducted and I am currently the head gymnastics coach at Rutgers. I have secured legal counsel and will refrain from making any additional comments without the advice of my counsel," Salim-Beasley told Patch Thursday.

Salim-Beasley remains the head coach as of Thursday, a Rutgers spokeswoman confirmed to Patch.

Last week, NJ.com interviewed seven former team members and one gymnast still on the team who said Salim-Beasley led a culture of bullying, exclusion and favoritism. They called the environment "toxic." Former Rutgers gymnasts told NJ.com Thursday they are "relieved" their complaints are finally being investigated, but they said they want Salim-Beasley placed on suspension until the matter is resolved.

"The university retained the firm Lowenstein Sandler, LLP to conduct a review of the women’s gymnastics program," Rutgers president Jonathan Holloway said in a memo to the Rutgers Board of Governors Wednesday. "This effort will ensure that any and all concerns raised about the program have been thoroughly reviewed."

"The review will further identify and address any concerns about the culture of the team," he added. "In the interest of transparency, we will make the recommendations of this review public."

The students also said former Rutgers Athletic Director Patrick Hobbs was dismissive when they complained about the environment on the team — even though Hobbs appeared to take "an unusual interest" in the women's gymnastics team, showing up at their practices, meets and even doing yoga with Salim-Beasley and the students.

NJ.com also exclusively reported that before he abruptly quit the top job in August, Hobbs was under investigation by Rutgers for an “inappropriate, consensual relationship.” It has never been reported with whom.

Hobbs is married with three children.

Former N.J. state comptroller Matthew Boxer, also a former federal prosecutor, will lead the investigation into the women's gymnastics team. His law firm will be paid a retainer of $50,000, and a rate of $225,000 for the first month, dropping to $195,000 for the second month, according to a Rutgers spokeswoman.

"Fees to Lowenstein Sandler will be revisited if additional time is needed to complete the review," sad Rutgers in a statement Thursday.

Last weekend: Rutgers President Calls For Investigation Into Women's Gymnastics Team (Sept. 1)

Rutgers Athletic Director Pat Hobbs Resigns For Health Reasons (Aug. 16)