A firm run by previous FBI director Louis Freeh has been hired by the New Orleans Saints to investigate allegations posed against the team. Freeh's firm is being asked investigate the NFL club, as the Saints hope to get answers in regards to wire-tapping of games taking place in the Superdome.
Saints general manager, Mickey Loomis, was accused of being able to eavesdrop on opposing coaches' radio communication from his Superdome press box. This was believed to be the case for games that took place between 2002 and 2004. The Saints have responded to accusations by saying they are "1,000 percent false."
"Serious allegations have been made about our organization this offseason; we take these allegations very seriously," Saints spokesman Greg Bensel stated in an email to USA Today.
The decision to hire Freeh for the investigation was announced on Friday on NBC's Pro Football Talk. The investigation conducted is Saints Owner Tom Benson's way "to leave no stone unturned."
Benson "has spared no expense to get to the bottom of these allegations," Bensel said. "We have given the Freeh Group complete access to our team and all of the individuals who have been associated with" the alleged wrongdoing.
The main focus of the investigation will be based upon wire-tapping accusations also being looked into by the FBI and the Louisiana state police.
Col. Mike Edmonson of the Louisiana state police explained to USA Today that the investigation between the police and the FBI was put into place to see whether the allegations were true at all and whether they were a violations of state and federal wire-tapping laws. Findings in regards to the investigation have yet to be released.
The NFL first learned of the allegations in March and have suspended head coach Sean Payton and linebacker Jonathan Vilma. Loomis was given an eight game suspension while assistant head coach Joe Vitt will be suspended for six. Additionally, the team was hit a $500,000 fine.
