The University of Tulsa has fired its Athletic Director Ross Parmley after it was revealed that he was involved with a man who was running an illegal online betting ring.
The move comes a week after the college placed Parmley on paid administrative leave pending the investigation.
University President Steadman Upham wrote a letter to the college's student body and faculty explaining the decision. In that letter Upham said: “At that time, Ross told me that his involvement was solely due to a family connection to the person being investigated."
“For obvious reasons, I specifically asked Ross if he had ever gambled on college or professional sports. He told me that friendly wagers during personal golf games constituted the extent of his betting activities. I took Ross at his word, as I had no reason to believe there had been any acts of impropriety or non-compliance.”
However on November 27th, Parmley ended up admitting his entire role in the case, including his relationship with betting ring leader Teddy Mitchell. Mitchell is one of nine defendants named in a federal criminal case which alleges that he ran an illegal online sports betting and poker ring in Oklahoma.
Although he has lost his job, Parmley has not been charged in the case and is cooperating with investigators.