The FBI has finished its investigation into Louisville basketball player Brian Bowen and his family for their alleged role a pay-for-play scheme that resulted in the university's firing of coach Rick Pitino and athletics director Tom Jurich.
Louisville officials have now been given a green light to conduct their own internal investigation into the alleged scandal involving Bowen, Louisville coaches and Adidas.
The FBI previously told schools embroiled in the scandal to hold their internal investigations until federal authorities completed theirs.
According to the Courier-Journal, the FBI discovered that Bowen was not involved in receiving money to commit to the university. It was discovered that Bowen's father, Brian Sr., allegedly asked for payment for his son's services. The FBI found one instance in particular in which Bowen Sr. asked for $19,500 in a phone call with Louisville coaches, Adidas representatives and others July 13.
Bowen's attorney Jason Setchen informed the Courier-Journal of the development.
“Brian and I are excited with this development and look forward to working with the university and the NCAA to clarify any concerns or issues that they have in furtherance of Brian’s prompt return to competition,” he said.
Bowen Jr. is not believed to have had any knowledge of money being exchanged. The five-star recruit is still enrolled at Louisville but he is currently suspended by the team.
Stuart Brown, an Atlanta-based attorney that is an expert on NCAA eligibility told the Courier-Journal that Bowen Jr. will likely be subject to suspension for a number of games, but permanent ineligibility is unlikely.
“I would suspect the young man would get reinstated with some repayment and community service stipulations and some meaningful withholding (from competition), but certainly not a whole season,” Brown said. “That’s presuming that the institution decides that a violation occurred.
"I’d be very surprised if there were permanent ineligibility.”
