Mike Holder Reiterates OSU ‘Shocked’ by FBI Allegations Involving Lamont Evans

In the aftermath of the FBI charges on Tuesday that led to the arrest of OSU associate head coach Lamont Evans and nine other individuals in and around college basketball, Oklahoma State issued a statement indicating it was “surprised” to learn of the potential actions taken by Evans and it was investigating the allegations.

In the 100+ page report detailing the way in which these individuals carried out an elaborate bribery and corruption scheme, Evans is accused of accepting at least $22,000 in bribe money to “exert his influence over certain student-athletes” at both South Carolina and at Oklahoma State. And while neither OSU nor its head coach Mike Boynton has been implicated in the matter, it’s a black eye on all involved — and it’s yet to be determined the impact this investigation will have on OSU, its basketball program, and those involved with Evans since he began his tenure at OSU.

Wednesday, Mike Holder issued a follow-up to that statement with a stronger stance once again reiterating that Oklahoma State was “shocked” by the FBI’s allegations and had no prior knowledge of the wrongdoing before the media story on the matter came out.

“I want to reiterate that Oklahoma State University was shocked by the allegations made yesterday against one of our assistant men’s basketball coaches. We learned about the allegations the same way most people did through media reports. The allegations are serious and they violate everything we stand for as an athletic department and university. As we have already stated, we will cooperate with federal officials and coordinate with the NCAA as we move forward with looking into this matter to the fullest extent. Let me underscore, we expect every person affiliated with our athletic program to conduct themselves with integrity and to comply with the rules and the law.”

According to the Tulsa World‘s Mark Cooper, Evans was in Oklahoma City Wednesday and was released on a $50,000 appearance bond after appearing for an initial hearing in U.S. District Court.

Story from the courtroom. Lamont Evans released on $50K bond, surrenders passport, no-contact condition … #okstate https://t.co/NhkvdNEyp0 pic.twitter.com/UU0w99lNUF

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) September 27, 2017

Oklahoma State suspended Evans on Tuesday with pay who faces six federal charges, per the Tulsa World: Conspiracy to commit bribery, solicitation of bribes and gratuities by an agent of a federally funded organization, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, honest wire services fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and Travel Act conspiracy.