The following is an example of witness tampering by University of Nevada, Reno Athletic Director Cary Groth, Executive Associate Athletic Director Cindy Fox, and Head Golf Coach Rich Merritt.


Q:  "Did Cary Groth ever call you and encourage you to stay out of this lawsuit?"

WITNESS:  "Yes, she did."

Q:  "Did Cindy Fox?"

WITNESS:  "Yes, she did."

Q:  "Did Rich Merritt?"

WITNESS:  "Yes, he did."

The witness then testified about what AD Cary Groth said to her:

WITNESS:  "You are going to want to stay quiet. Keep your mouth shut. Stay quiet, you know, stay out of this because it's going to involve attorneys and to protect your family you don't want to be involved."

Q:  "Did anybody ever say to you that Terri wasn't your friend?"

WITNESS:  "Yes, Associate AD Cindy Fox.  She called my house . . . I pretty much kind of questioned her because Terri and Cindy were so close."

"Cindy said the same thing that Cary said, 'Stay out of it, you know, protect your family.  Protect those boys . . . remain quiet.  Don't talk to Terri,' those types of things."

Q:  "Similar to what Cary Groth said to you?"

WITNESS:  "Yes."

Q:  "Was Cindy Fox still your supervisor at the time?"

WITNESS:  "Yes."

Bribing or intimidating witness to influence testimony is a category C felony; imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum term of not more than 5 years.


- Excerpts from the transcript of the hearing on public corruption at the University of Nevada, Reno.