Paige Shiver, a former University of Michigan football department employee, and her attorney Julie Murphy filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Washtenaw County Circuit Court alleging the university violated Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act by improperly denying multiple public records requests related to the investigation and termination of former head football coach Sherrone Moore.
The suit seeks to compel the release of investigative files, interview recordings and transcripts, communications between university officials and Moore, emails involving Athletic Director Warde Manuel, and messages submitted to a reporting account managed by the outside law firm Jenner & Block. It also requests a court declaration that the university’s actions were unlawful, along with attorney fees, costs, and potential punitive damages if the denials are deemed arbitrary and capricious.
Shiver, now 32, began working in the Michigan football program as an intern in October 2021. She started a consensual intimate relationship with Moore in January 2022 while he served as offensive coordinator. When Moore was elevated to head coach in 2024, Shiver was promoted to his executive assistant — a direct-report position that created a clear supervisor-subordinate power dynamic.
In an April 2026 interview with ABC News’ “Good Morning America,” Shiver described Moore as having “complete control” over her emotions and career. She alleged he used that power to maintain the relationship despite her repeated attempts to end it, stating: “Here’s a man that had complete control over me. Over my emotions. Over my career. And he knew that. And he used it against me.” She has characterized the relationship as having become manipulative and said other coaches in the program were aware of it, describing it in subsequent reporting as an “open secret” within the athletic department.
On Dec. 10, 2025, Shiver reported the relationship to the university. Moore was fired for cause. The university determined the undisclosed workplace relationship with a direct report violated his contract. In statements at the time, Michigan said it “terminated Sherrone Moore promptly upon discovering his undisclosed workplace relationship with a direct report” and emphasized its commitment to “ensuring a professional and respectful workplace for all members of its community.”
Less than an hour after his firing, Moore went to Shiver’s apartment. According to Shiver’s account, he entered with his hood up, confronted her while emotional and crying, and said, “You ruined my life. Why would you do this to me?” She described backing away as he followed, fearing for her safety during an encounter that involved him grabbing butter knives. She has said Moore appeared distraught and referenced self-harm.
The incident led to criminal charges against Moore of third-degree home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering. As part of a plea deal, the felony charges were dismissed. Moore pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges and received 18 months of probation. Shiver has publicly stated she believed the outcome was insufficient and that Moore “should’ve gotten more punishment for what he did” and failed to take adequate accountability.
Beyond the FOIA claims, the complaint alleges Shiver experienced sex discrimination and a hostile work environment in violation of federal and Michigan civil rights laws. It also claims unidentified university employees improperly accessed her medical records, raising privacy and HIPAA concerns.
Shiver has a rare genetic condition called Pompe disease. During the relationship she became pregnant; the pregnancy was complicated by her health condition. She has said multiple doctors and experts advised that continuing the pregnancy would not be healthy or safe, leading to an abortion. She has stated she wanted to keep the baby but followed medical advice. Moore’s response at the time, according to Shiver, was: “He said you have to do what’s right for your body.”
The core purpose of the lawsuit is to force transparency and obtain records the university has withheld. Shiver and Murphy argue the denials — which cited ongoing investigations, privacy exemptions, non-existence of records, and overly broad requests — violate FOIA’s presumption in favor of public disclosure. They contend the university failed to retrieve responsive materials from Jenner & Block, the firm involved in the investigation.
By securing the records, Shiver seeks a fuller public accounting of how the university investigated the relationship, conducted interviews, documented communications, and handled the matter internally — particularly given the power imbalance, the “open secret” nature reported by Shiver, and the high-profile status of the head coach position. The records could clarify the timeline, who knew what and when, and the rigor of the process.
In her GMA interview, Shiver framed her decision to speak publicly as an effort to support others: “I just want other women that are going through this to know that this doesn’t need to happen, this doesn’t need to go this far.” The FOIA action extends that effort into formal legal channels, aiming for institutional accountability and access to information she believes the public has a right to see at a public university.
The discrimination, hostile-environment, and medical-records-access claims suggest the requested materials may also inform or support potential future litigation, though the immediate relief sought is under FOIA.
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