The Saints have hired a former FBI director to investigate the organization after an off-season of reports and accusations of various misconduct, according to Greg Bensel, the team's Vice President of Communications.
Louis Freeh served as the director of the FBI from 1993 to 2001. His organization, the Freeh Group, conducted an investigation for Penn State recently with regards to the Jerry Sandusky allegations.
Bensel confirmed Freeh's involvement to Eyewitness News, calling it part of a 'top-to-bottom' review of the club and its practices.
“Serious allegations have been made about our organization this off-season; we take these allegations very seriously,” Bensel said. “As a result, we have hired the Freeh Group, founded by former director of the FBI and former federal judge Louis Freeh. Mr. Benson moved quickly to hire them and has spared no expense to get to the bottom of these allegations. We have given the Freeh Group complete access to our team and all of the individuals who have been associated with this news story.”
The Saints have suffered through a tumultuous off-season that has included head coach Sean Payton being suspended for the season in connection with allegations that the team conducted a bounty system that rewarded players financially for injuring opponents. Former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was also suspended for the season. GM MIckey Loomis was suspended for half a season, while Assistant Head Coach Joe Vitt was suspended for six games while a handful of current and former players were also suspended.
In addition there were reports accusing GM Mickey Loomis of listening in on the opposing locker rooms during the Jim Haslett era - a charge Loomis and the organization vehemently denied.
