Story perspectives

Ex-Assistant Sues Michigan for $30M Over Evidence Suppression

7/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Chris Partridge sued the University of Michigan, Santa Ono, athletic director Warde Manuel and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti for $30 million.
He says Ono and Manuel uncovered evidence on Weiss’s drive in January 2023, hid it, and barred note-taking.
The suit alleges the university ignored head coach Sherrone Moore’s inappropriate relationship with executive assistant Paige Shiver.
Partridge says he was fired in November 2023 after accusations of destroying evidence, though NCAA found none.

History

Historical Context

After the 1996 University of Michigan basketball scandal—where booster Ed Martin’s illegal loans led the NCAA to impose a five-year postseason ban, $1.5 million restitution and the vacating of 117 games from 1992-1999—the school's compliance record remained under scrutiny. Now, staffer Chris Partridge sued Michigan, President Santa Ono, AD Warde Manuel and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, reviving concerns about evidence suppression and Big Ten governance.

1 of 2

Story summary

Chris Partridge sued the University of Michigan, Santa Ono, athletic director Warde Manuel and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti for $30 million.
He says Ono and Manuel uncovered evidence on Weiss’s drive in January 2023, hid it, and barred note-taking.
The suit alleges the university ignored head coach Sherrone Moore’s inappropriate relationship with executive assistant Paige Shiver.
Partridge says he was fired in November 2023 after accusations of destroying evidence, though NCAA found none.

1 / 2