Report: Penn State coach James Franklin contacted victim in Vanderbilt rape case

According to a report by Tony Gonzalez of the Tennessean, new filings in the rape case against former Vanderbilt football players suggest that Penn State football coach James Franklin (then at Vandy) contacted the alleged victim.

The bulk of Tuesday's filing was a motion to dismiss the case because defense attorneys for Brandon Vandenburg, one of four players charged, believe that "crucial and material information to the defense of VANDENBURG was destroyed or not preserved."

In addition to the missing evidence, which included surveillance video, text messages, interview transcripts and more, Gonzalez reports reports that misconduct on the part of Franklin was also alleged:

Referring to records, the attorneys said the victim was contacted by Franklin and [former Vandy and current Penn state assistant Dwight] Galt during a medical examination four days after the rape to explain "that they cared about her because she assisted them with recruiting."

It went on to say that at some point, "Coach Franklin called her in for a private meeting and told her he wanted her to get fifteen pretty girls together and form a team to assist with the recruiting even though he knew it was against the rules. He added that all the other colleges did it."

Vanderbilt and Penn State did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Reached by cellphone Tuesday, Franklin repeatedly said he was "not interested in talking." He declined an offer to hear the allegations.

[The Tennessean]

More to come...