ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A lawsuit filed alleging the University of Michigan violated the state’s Freedom of Information Act by withholding records related to the investigation and termination of former football coach Sherrone Moore has been dismissed, according to court records.
The lawsuit was filed in July and sought to compel the university to release documents connected to Moore’s alleged inappropriate relationship with a university employee, as well as other records related to the university’s investigation.
What to know about the lawsuit
Paige Shiver, a former Michigan football department employee, and her attorney filed the lawsuit, accusing the university of improperly denying multiple public records requests submitted between February and June 2026.
According to the lawsuit, the requested records include investigative files related to Moore’s termination, interview recordings and transcripts, communications between university officials and Moore, emails between Moore and Athletic Director Warde Manuel, and messages submitted to a university reporting email account managed by outside law firm Jenner & Block.
The lawsuit argues the university cited a variety of reasons for denying the requests, including ongoing investigations, privacy exemptions, claims that responsive records did not exist, and assertions that one request was overly broad.
It alleged those denials violate Michigan’s FOIA law, which favors public disclosure of government records unless a specific exemption applies.
The lawsuit also alleged the university failed to obtain responsive records from Jenner & Block, despite the firm’s role in conducting the investigation and the plaintiffs’ belief that those records are within the university’s control.
Shiver, who worked in the university’s football department from October 2021 through December 2025, also alleges she experienced sex discrimination and a hostile work environment in violation of federal and Michigan civil rights laws.
The complaint further alleged that unidentified university employees improperly accessed her medical records, violating her privacy rights and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
The lawsuit asked the court to order the university to release the requested records, declare the university’s actions unlawful under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, award attorney fees and costs, and impose punitive damages authorized under the statute if the court finds the university acted arbitrarily and capriciously in denying the requests.
Local 4 reached out to the University of Michigan in July regarding the lawsuit, but they declined to comment.
Shiver spoke publicly about relationship with Moore
Shiver previously spoke publicly about her relationship with Moore during an interview with ABC News anchor Linsey Davis, which aired on “Good Morning America” on April 24.
Shiver, now 32, told ABC she started as an intern with the football program in 2021.
Read more --> Paige Shiver interview: 16 takeaways from Sherrone Moore’s former assistant
Her consensual relationship with Moore began in January 2022.
When Moore became the university’s head football coach in 2024, Shiver was promoted to be his executive assistant.
‘Complete control’
During the interview, Davis asked about Shiver’s allegations that she faced years of harassment and manipulation from Moore.
“Here’s a man that had complete control over me,” Shiver said. “Over my emotions. Over my career. And he knew that. And he used it against me. Every time I tried to pull away, every time I tried to get out of even Michigan, he always had a story, always had a way to pull me in and making me feel that I couldn’t leave him because he was so miserable without me.”
Shiver also said she felt pressured to remain in the relationship to keep her job.
“I mean, he and other coaches had control over my career, especially him,” Shiver said. “I mean, he could fire me in a second.”
Read more --> Paige Shiver sues University of Michigan over Sherrone Moore investigation records
Sherrone Moore case
On Dec. 10, 2025, Shiver reported the relationship to the university.
“They said, ‘You know we’re really sorry about everything you went through, and we’re here to protect you and help you through all of this,’” Shiver said.
After that conversation, Moore was fired. Shiver said former colleagues, including those in leadership positions, knew about their relationship and did nothing.
“He controlled everything that was going on in my life, and they didn’t do anything about it,” Shiver said.
Less than an hour after being fired, Moore went to Shiver’s apartment. Shiver shared what happened from her perspective.
“All of a sudden, I hear footsteps, and they’re getting closer and louder, and I’m like crap, so I run to my door to try and lock it,” Shiver said. “He barges in, and he’s standing like this close to me, and he said, ‘You ruined my life. Why would you do this to me?’ And then I start backing up, and he starts following me.”
When Davis asked if she feared for her life, Shiver did not hesitate.
“Oh my gosh, yes,” Shiver said. “I mean, he’s 6′4, and he comes in with his hood up, looking down at me, saying, I ruined his life, crying. Then he starts coming at me, and I tell him to leave, and he’s not supposed to be here. He’s not listening to me. And then he starts grabbing, yes, butter knives.”
Moore was sentenced to 18 months of probation after he pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges as part of a plea deal.
The charges he was initially issued, third-degree home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering, were dismissed as part of the agreement.
Davis asked Shiver if she felt Moore should have gone to jail.
“Yes,” Shiver said. “I think he should’ve gotten more punishment for what he did.”
Lawsuit dismissed
The university asked the court to dismiss the case on Aug. 12.
According to court records, the lawsuit was dismissed on Sept. 9.
