CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The NFL will meet with Carolina Panthers interim general manager Marty Hurney on Friday regarding an investigation into a harassment complaint by his ex-wife, according to Hurney’s attorney.
The league assigned Lisa Friel, a former New York City sex-crimes prosecutor who now investigates charges of off-the-field misconduct, to Hurney’s case, which falls under the league’s personal-conduct code.
Friel was hired by the league in 2014 to help establish a new policy on domestic violence. One of her first cases involved then-Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, who was accused of attacking and threatening his girlfriend.
Hurney was placed on paid administrative leave on Monday after Jeanne Hurney filed the complaint last Friday. The complaint was withdrawn on Tuesday, but NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league would not drop its investigation.
Hurney is one of four candidates being considered for Carolina's GM position. The team also interviewed Houston assistant general manager Jimmy Raye III, Buffalo assistant director of scouting Lake Dawson and Martin Mayhew, senior personnel executive with San Francisco.
Panthers spokesperson Steven Drummond said Hurney would remain on paid leave until the league completes its investigation.
Hurney’s meeting with Friel could signal the NFL is trying to swiftly conclude its investigation so that the Panthers can name a general manager. An announcement was expected within the week before Hurney was placed on leave. He was considered the front-runner at the time. It is unclear how the claims by his ex-wife might impact that.
Jeanne Hurney withdrew her complaint after a judge on Friday denied a temporary restraining order during an ex parte hearing in which only she and her attorney appeared.
Marty Hurney informed the team of the complaint on Sunday, and the team informed the league office.
This all comes about two months after the NFL opened an investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct by team owner Jerry Richardson. A December article in Sports Illustrated said at least four former employees were paid to keep quiet allegations of sexual harassment and the use of a racial slur directed at a former team scout.
Kathleen Lucchesi, one of Marty Hurney’s attorneys, told ESPN that the allegations against her client were “absolute fiction" and part of a continued trend of allegations since the Hurneys began divorce proceedings in 2013.
"This is false. Made up in her mind," Lucchesi said.
Lucchesi said the next step was to get the Panthers to lift the administrative leave, noting her client is “anxious" to get back to work at an important time, as teams are evaluating their own talent and players from other teams heading into free agency, and preparing for the draft.