In an exclusive statement to a news outlet, U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon has addressed recent developments surrounding a transgender volleyball player at San Jose State University. The player in question, Blaire Fleming, was accused of plotting with an opposing player to cause harm to former teammate Brooke Slusser during a match last fall.
Dhillon emphasized the importance of fairness in women’s sports and vowed to pursue individuals who pose a threat to female athletes. The Department of Justice is committed to upholding Title IX and ensuring that women can compete in sports without facing retribution from men.
An investigation conducted by the law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher (WFG) on behalf of the Mountain West Conference initially cleared Fleming of any wrongdoing. However, public records obtained by the news outlet revealed discrepancies in the investigation process.
Despite allegations brought forward by Slusser and other current or former volleyball players, the investigation failed to find sufficient evidence to support the claims against Fleming. Several GOP officials, including Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Sen. Tommy Tuberville, have called for a new investigation into the matter.
The White House also weighed in on the controversy, denouncing policies that endanger women in sports. A White House spokesperson emphasized the need to protect female athletes from harassment and unfair competition.
Slusser’s lawsuit against the Mountain West and San Jose State University alleged that Fleming and other teammates conspired to harm her during a match. The lawsuit claimed that Fleming provided an opposing player with sensitive team information in exchange for throwing the game in their favor.
In light of these developments, the Department of Education has launched a federal Title IX investigation into the handling of the situation by the university. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the protection of female athletes and the need for transparency in collegiate sports. The Department of Education has recently made agreements with several universities regarding transgender athletes competing on women’s teams.
In a recent announcement, the DOE revealed that the University of Pennsylvania has apologized to all female athletes who competed alongside transgender swimmer Lia Thomas during the 2021-22 season. The university has also decided to rescind all of Thomas’ school records.
Similarly, the department reached a similar agreement with Wagner College after transgender fencer Redmon Sullivan was allowed to compete on the women’s fencing team.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that the investigation into San Jose State University will continue. The Department of Justice has also filed lawsuits against public officials in California and Maine for permitting males to participate in girls’ sports and for failing to reach an agreement with the Trump administration.
Fox News Digital has reached out to SJSU, the Mountain West, and WFG for their response to the recent developments. The Mountain West declined to comment further due to ongoing litigation. San Jose State University also refrained from responding to claims made by one of the athletes involved.
Fox News Digital attempted to contact the athlete in question for a response to the allegations.
Jackson Thompson, a sports writer for Fox News Digital, previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Thompson has covered major sporting events such as the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed notable figures like Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, and Jerry Rice.
