Introduction to the Scandal
CHICAGO (WGN) — Following the federal indictment of former Michigan football assistant coach Matt Weiss on unauthorized computer access and identity theft charges, Loyola University Chicago is now being pulled into the legal fallout.
According to a spokesperson, attorneys Megan Bonanni and Lisa Esser-Weidenfeller sent a preservation notice to Loyola this week, compelling the school to preserve all relevant evidence—including emails, videos and any records involving personal data—belonging to student-athletes who attended the school from 2015 to 2020.
The Preservation Notice
The preservation notice states Bonanni and Esser-Weidenfeller are representing a former Loyola student-athlete in a potential litigation lawsuit against the university concerning the 24 federal counts Weiss was indicted on. Weiss, who worked for the Baltimore Ravens before joining the University of Michigan’s football staff in 2021, was charged with 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of identity theft in March.
Details of the Indictment
According to the indictment, prosecutors allege Weiss hacked into thousands of student-athletes email accounts at colleges and universities around the country from 2015 to 2023, including one of the student-athlete represented by Bonanni and Esser-Weidenfeller, to access intimate photos and videos. Weiss then gained access to social media, email and cloud storage accounts of more than 2,000 student-athletes, as well as more than 1,300 students or alumni from schools across the country, the indictment states.
Background on Weiss
Weiss was fired in 2023 when he was serving as Michigan’s co-offensive coordinator after failing to cooperate with the university’s investigation into his computer access.
Conclusion
The situation involving Loyola University Chicago and the federal indictment of Matt Weiss highlights the importance of data protection and the need for institutions to ensure the privacy and security of their students’ personal information. As the legal proceedings unfold, it will be crucial for all parties involved to prioritize transparency and accountability.
FAQs
- Q: What is the nature of the preservation notice sent to Loyola University Chicago?
A: The preservation notice requires Loyola to preserve all relevant evidence, including emails, videos, and records involving personal data, belonging to student-athletes who attended the school from 2015 to 2020. - Q: What are the charges against Matt Weiss?
A: Weiss has been charged with 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of identity theft. - Q: How did Weiss allegedly access the personal data of student-athletes?
A: According to the indictment, Weiss hacked into thousands of student-athletes’ email accounts to access intimate photos and videos, and gained access to social media, email, and cloud storage accounts of over 2,000 student-athletes and over 1,300 students or alumni. - Q: What is the current status of the legal proceedings?
A: The situation is ongoing, with attorneys representing a former Loyola student-athlete in a potential litigation lawsuit against the university concerning the federal counts Weiss was indicted on.
