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EXCLUSIVE: Harmeet Dhillon, U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General, has officially responded to emerging allegations concerning the San Jose State University transgender volleyball player from last fall.
Recently, Fox News Digital reported on claims made by former SJSU volleyball player Brooke Slusser regarding misconduct involving her former transgender teammate, Blaire Fleming. In October, Fleming allegedly conspired with an opponent to spike Slusser in the face during a match.
In a statement shared with Fox News Digital, Dhillon emphasized that the Department of Justice is dedicated to ensuring fairness in women’s sports. She stated that legal resources would be utilized to enforce Title IX, ensuring women can compete without fear of male athletes undermining their safety and rights.
The controversy began in November when the Mountain West Conference conducted an investigation into the accusations against Fleming. Public records indicate that this investigation concluded without identifying sufficient evidence just three days after the initial outreach to witnesses.
The investigation was managed by Willkie Farr & Gallagher (WFG), a law firm also tasked with defending the Mountain West against Slusser’s lawsuit. This lawsuit mirrored the allegations that the law firm cleared in its investigation.
Records show that WFG attorney Tim Heaphy led the investigation. Heaphy previously worked as chief investigative counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives during inquiries into the January 6 Capitol protests.
Slusser revealed that she had communicated with a teammate who participated in the conference’s investigation regarding Fleming’s alleged conspiracy.
“According to what I heard, my teammate witnessed conversations about scouting reports and leaving the net unprotected,” Slusser explained. “That information should have constituted sufficient evidence of Fleming’s alleged plan.”
She further elaborated, asserting that her teammate directly observed the communication between Fleming and former Colorado State volleyball player Malaya Jones. Slusser believes this firsthand account validates her claims.
Fox News Digital could not confirm the verification of Slusser’s teammate’s statements to investigators against Fleming. Notably, WFG’s attorneys have not been accused of any unethical conduct.
Dhillon’s remarks align her with various GOP officials reacting sharply to the unfolding events. Senator Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee shared the report on social media with the comment that Slusser should never have been placed in competition with a male athlete.
Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville reiterated the disdain for this situation, urging both the NCAA and the Mountain West to conduct a new investigation into the allegations. He lamented that universities risk placing female athletes in danger.
A spokesperson from the White House echoed these sentiments, asserting that women are entitled to engage in sports without fear of harassment from biological males. According to Taylor Rogers, a White House spokesperson, reforms are required to restore integrity to women’s sports amid left-leaning policies that endanger female athletes.
As the controversy continues, Slusser, joined by nine other women, has filed a lawsuit against the Mountain West and SJSU. This legal action outlines allegations that Fleming and her teammates left their hotel before a match against Colorado State, allegedly conspiring with an opposing player.
The suit also claims that a teammate who left with Fleming informed others of their plans, including handing over an SJSU scouting report and an agreement to lose the match deliberately.
Following her involvement in litigation against the NCAA in September, Slusser reported that her relationship with transgender athletes became increasingly hostile, especially regarding Fleming.
She recounted an incident where Fleming expressed a desire not to communicate with her anymore. Slusser expressed feeling that animosity was directed at her by Fleming.
Fox News Digital reached out to San Jose State’s athletic director, Jeff Konya, seeking more information about Slusser’s allegations and the pertinent investigation. However, after a brief exchange, he declined to comment further.
During a media event, Konya stated he could not determine the veracity of Slusser’s claims while he also refrained from confirming if any witnesses corroborated the allegations against Fleming.
When questioned about the university’s handling of the issue, Konya mentioned he believed that all involved acted to the best of their abilities given the circumstances.
The U.S. Department of Education has initiated a federal Title IX investigation into the case, particularly focusing on the university’s treatment of transgender athlete Fleming. The DOE has recently reached settlements with other universities regarding the rights of female athletes in similar contexts.
Recently, the DOE required the University of Pennsylvania to apologize to FEMALE athletes who competed against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, undoing records previously held by Thomas due to the implications of equity in women’s sports.
In another instance, the Department reached a similar agreement with Wagner College regarding transgender fencer Redmon Sullivan’s participation on the women’s fencing team.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon expressed that the investigation into SJSU would progress. She reaffirmed the commitment to ensuring fairness in sports.
The Department of Justice has also pursued lawsuits against officials in California and Maine, challenging practices that permit transgender participation in women’s sports without agreement from federal authorities.
SJSU, the Mountain West Conference, and WFG have received inquiries from Fox News Digital about Dhillon’s statements but have yet to respond. When previously asked about the potential release of evidence from the investigation, the Mountain West Conference declined, stating the ongoing litigation prevents further comments.
San Jose State has also refrained from addressing Slusser’s allegations, indicating that ongoing investigations limit their ability to discuss the matter.
Attempts to reach Fleming through social media for her response to Slusser’s claims have so far been unsuccessful.
Future Implications for Women’s Sports
The evolving circumstances surrounding this case underscore the complexity of integrating transgender athletes into competitive women’s sports. As attention mounts, the need for fair policies that protect all athletes while ensuring the integrity of women’s sports must remain a priority.
