​The former executive assistant to Sherrone Moore, who was dismissed as Michigan football coach, is suing the University of Michigan, alleging the university violated the state’s Freedom of Information Act by withholding records connected to the investigation that led to Moore’s ouster. Paige Shiver filed the lawsuit in Washtenaw County, seeking the requested documents and punitive damages after the university denied multiple public-records requests submitted on her behalf.
Attorney Andrew M. Stroth stated that filing the FOIA suit was essential to ensure transparency and to bring the truth and facts to light. Shiver’s lawsuit asserts that the university refused to disclose materials initially requested under FOIA, despite Shiver’s representatives submitting the requests on her behalf. The dispute centers on records related to the investigation into Moore’s conduct and the circumstances surrounding his firing as head coach after two seasons with Michigan and amid questions following Jim Harbaugh’s departure to the NFL.
The University of Michigan has not commented publicly on the case, with spokesperson Paul Corliss choosing not to respond to inquiries. The case unfolds within the broader context of Moore’s firing in December, which occurred after he was confronted by Shiver about an inappropriate relationship with her and after officials were notified by university authorities. Prosecutors indicated that Moore placed blame on Shiver for his dismissal.
Moore’s legal journey continued into 2026 when he appeared in court; in April, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of trespassing and malicious use of a telecommunications device. He received an 18-month probation sentence. Shiver later commented that the sentence did not reflect the harm she endured as a result of the incident and subsequent actions. The FOIA suit filed by Shiver seeks not only access to the investigative records but also the court-ordered release of those materials and the awarding of punitive damages.
According to the complaint, attorney Julie Murphy filed several FOIA requests between February and June, all directed at obtaining records related to the investigation into Moore’s firing. The university denied each request. Stroth emphasized the public’s right to access such information, arguing that the university, a public institution, had already spent substantial resources on investigations, including a reported $12 million paid to Jenner & Block to investigate the Sherrone Moore case and related issues within Michigan’s athletic department, Schembechler Hall, and the wider Title IX and Title VII matters. The defense and prosecution of these records remain at the heart of the ongoing dispute.
The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring the University of Michigan to disclose the requested records and to impose punitive damages as a consequence of the alleged FOIA violations. The case highlights the tension between public records laws and university proceedings, raising questions about what information must be released to the public and how such disclosures should be balanced with other considerations. As the litigation progresses, observers will be watching closely to see how the university responds to the FOIA requests and whether the court will compel the release of the investigation’s findings.