N. Carolina Secretary of State launches probe into agent imbroglio

Four schools and the NCAA have launched investigations into several players allegedly receiving illegal benefits from agents during a trip to South Florida.

Now, one government official at the state level has launched her own probe into the affair.

According to the Raleigh News & Observer, North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall is investigating media reports that there may have been improper contact between agents and student-athletes. While Marshall herself was unavailable for comment, her spokesperson confirmed the office was investigating the claims without actually receiving a specific complaint.

“That’s it, precisely,” Jeter said. “The number of media reports coming out and talking about possibly things that might have happened and possibly actions by agents, or people who should be agents if they’re not, [sparked the investigation].”

The North Carolina Uniform Athlete Agent Act requires athletes to register with the Secretary of State’s office and inform a school’s athletic director within 72 hours of agreeing to a contract with an athlete. Agents are prevented from furnishing anything of value to athletes before they enter a contract, and they are prohibited from making false representations.

Violating the law is a Class I felony. Jeter said messages have been sent to several parties saying they will be contacted by department staff members and advising them not to destroy their records. He said the investigation will focus on the agents themselves rather than athletes or staff members at any of the schools.

The North Carolina Tar Heels were the first school to be publicly identified as being of interest to the NCAA. Subsequent reports had several members of the football program being interviewed by NCAA investigators in connection to a South Beach party hosted by an player agent.