39-year-old Washington State assistant athletic director, Jason Gesser, has resigned amid allegations of inappropriate sexual advances. Gesser, was a quarterback for the Cougars from 1999-2002. He was placed on administrative leave on Monday after Alyssa Bodeau, 27, said she filed an official complaint against Gesser with the school’s Office for Equal Opportunity. He had been working in a fundraising capacity for the athletic department.
“I am deeply saddened that recent circumstances in my private life have created a distraction for the department and university. While I certainly never intended to hurt anyone, I believe it is best for all involved for me to move on. I apologize for creating a situation that reflected negatively on WSU in any way” Gesser wrote in a statement on Tuesday.
University president Kirk Schulz and athletic director Pat Chun co-signed a statement that acknowledged the school’s acceptance of Gesser’s resignation. Adding of Bodeau’s complaint, they wrote, “We sincerely appreciate the courage it takes for individuals to come forward with concerns of this nature. We take the allegations extremely seriously, and the Office for Equal Opportunity intends to continue its investigation.”
Bodeau wrote in a statement to the Seattle Times on Tuesday, “I’m extremely happy to see that Jason has resigned his position of influence and power at WSU. It’s a relief to know that no other young women will be subjected to Mr. Gesser’s actions and abuse of power. I pray he gets the help he needs and that his family can move forward.”
Bodeau was a former babysitter for Gesser’s children. She said she was emboldened to speak up about her encounter with Gesser, which she said happened in June 2015, after news accounts surfaced last week about other women having made similar accusations against him.
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