UW: Third Allegation Leveled Against Chadima

The University of Wisconsin-Madison police are investigating a third allegation of misconduct against former Athletic Department official John Chadima, according to UW officials.

Chadima, the UW's former senior associate athletic director, resigned last month after being accused of inappropriately touching a student at a Los Angeles party, which was thrown for athletic department workers shortly before the Badgers football team appeared in the Rose Bowl.

Earlier this week, UW-Madison Interim Chancellor David Ward released a statement confirming the investigation into a second allegation, but not revealing any details about it except that it pertained to a man.

On Thursday morning, Ward issued a similar statement confirming a police investigation involving Chadima and a third man. Ward said the statement that UW police believe the allegation is "credible," but the news release said the investigation is continuing.

Ward is calling for other potential victims to come forward, a tactic that Chadima's lawyer calls a "reckless campaign of character assassination." Attorney Charles Giesen said Chadima is being smeared by anonymous allegations without a meaningful opportunity to respond.

Online court records do not show that Chadima faces any criminal charges.

In the wake of these new allegations, Ward has asked former Judge Patrick Fiedler to conduct an independent investigation of "these and any related allegations." He said that Fiedler would be joined by two investigators.

According to a report drafted by a UW-appointed panel that looked into the initial allegation, Chadima was accused of reaching into the pants of a student worker, identified only as John Doe, at this Dec. 30 party, and then threatened to have the student fired after his advances were rebuffed. After the allegations were brought to UW officials, Chadima was put on administrative leave on Jan. 6 and resigned the same day.

Chadima previously had issued an apology for a "lapse in judgment" in connection with the alleged incident. He said he will take full responsibility for his action that night, citing a problem with alcohol.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.