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USF Not Likely To Investigate Moffitt Cheating Allegations

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The University of South Florida will not investigate allegations of cheating made by linebacker Ben Moffitt's estranged wife.

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By BRETT McMURPHY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 5, 2008

Updated: 01/05/2008 12:49 pm

TAMPA - Despite allegations that University of South Florida senior linebacker Ben Moffitt had nearly every paper written for him by his wife and sister-in-law during his five years at the school, USF will not investigate unless one of Moffitt's professors questions his class work.

"Professors in the courses would have to have some cause or suspicion that something inappropriate was happening and they could follow up on that," USF spokesman Ken Gullette said Friday.

The Tampa Tribune obtained copies of nine papers Moffitt's wife, Shauna Moffitt, says she and his sister-in-law, Sheree Ellis, wrote for him between Nov. 6, 2005, and Oct. 10, 2007. The papers were written on Shauna's work computer and Sheree's home computer - neither of which Ben Moffitt had ever used to do his USF assignments, they said. Shauna also said she took two online classes for Ben.

Stephanie Jordan, the mother of Shauna and Sheree, confirmed her daughters had written papers for Ben.

Even with this information, Gullette said, "there's really no change at this point" as far as the university is concerned.

"The information we have is information we're getting from reporters," Gullette said. "There's not much to do at this point."

USF President Judy Genshaft would not comment on how the allegations might affect the school's academic credibility, and she referred questions to Gullette.

Ken Cissna, chairperson for USF's Department of Communication, said he couldn't comment on students because of privacy issues. Moffitt is a communication major.

Gullette referred to the specific allegations of cheating "as a domestic dispute" and said the only way the school would investigate was if there were an allegation of widespread abuse similar to what happened recently at Florida State.

At FSU, at least 50 athletes across multiple sports will face penalties for their involvement in an academic misconduct scandal for accepting online test answers from tutors. As a result of the scandal, FSU has instituted some safeguards. Students testing in online courses will need to bring a photo ID and password to a testing center, and no proctors with ties to the athletic department will be allowed to oversee the tests.

Gullette drew little distinction between online testing and testing in the classroom.

"There's virtually no fool-proof way to protect against cheating," Gullette said. "If there are over 100 students in a class, the instructors have no way of knowing if that's the actual student. They may not know all the students by name and face."

Gullette said each professor has his own way of safeguarding against cheating. "In the end, the universities have to rely on a student's honesty and integrity."

Ben Moffitt, a four-year starter for the Bulls, filed for divorce from Shauna and she was presented with the divorce papers Friday, said Erin Collin Cullaro, Shauna's attorney. Moffitt initially left his wife of five years and children, ages 5 and 3, on Nov. 11, Shauna said.

Cullaro said Shauna stands behind her statements that she wrote nearly every paper for her husband and completed two online courses for him. As far as USF investigating Shauna's claims, Cullaro said "it's up to USF's attorneys."

USF sports information director Chris Freet said Athletic Director Doug Woolard would not comment on the allegations that Moffitt cheated or that graduate assistant Patrick St. Louis was aware of it because it was a university issue, not an athletics issue.

A.J. Roye, Moffitt's attorney, had no comment about the allegations of cheating.

Moffitt's eligibility concluded with Monday's Sun Bowl.

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

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