After a Los Angeles Times story reported that a former official at the Los Angeles County assessors office said in work emails that he had given improper gifts to former USC running back Joe McKnight and basketball player Davon Jefferson, USC athletic director Pat Haden responded with a statement saying the school would look into the allegations.
"We have just learned of new allegations presented by a reporter from the Los Angeles Times," Haden said in the statement. "We have discussed those allegations with the NCAA and Pac-12, and we will thoroughly investigate them and take any and all necessary actions."
The Los Angeles Times reported that McKnight received a car and an airline ticket, and Jefferson was given around $3,700 in cash.
Much of the immediate reaction was cautious, as USC and the NCAA have cooperated on investigations of this sort recently.
McKnight's use of a Land Rover was revealed in 2009, and according to the statement, USC fully investigated the matter and passed all of its information to the NCAA, who found no violation.
"I can personally assure you that USC takes its compliance obligations with NCAA and Pac-12 rules extremely seriously and we are dedicated to playing and competing the right way," Haden said.
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