CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers said the team is conducting an internal investigation regarding allegations of workplace misconduct against owner Jerry Richardson.
The Panthers tweeted a statement regarding the allegations.
“The Carolina Panthers and Mr. Richardson take these allegations very seriously and are fully committed to a full investigation and taking appropriate steps to address and remediate any misconduct,” team spokesman Steven Drummond said in a statement.
“The entire organization is fully committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable and diverse work environment where all individuals, regardless of sex, race, color, religion, gender, or sexual identity or orientation, are treated fairly and equally. We have work to do to achieve this goal, but we are going to meet it," Drummond said in a statement.
The Panthers coach Ron Rivera released the following statement:
“I have had a strong relationship with Mr. Richardson during my time with the Panthers. I have enormous respect for the man, but will wait for the results of the investigation before making any judgment.”
In spite of the allegations, some fans still snapped photos in front of the statue dedicated to the owner.
"It always disturbs me," said fan Alan Toll, who drove all the way from Wilmington to catch Sunday's game. "I don't know anything about it. There's been a reckoning and I guess the reckoning has happened."
"I hope there's a reconciliation," Toll said.
Another fan, Kim Forbes, said she feels torn. She hopes Richardson will get a chance to defend himself if he's innocent.
"He's a good man," Forbes said. "If he did do something bad, then he should apologize for it or whatever people want him to do."
The investigation is being led by an outside international law firm, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart and Sullivan, LLP, and will be overseen by former House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, according to the Panthers.
The Panthers did not specify the allegations against Richardson.
Stick with WCNC.com for the latest on this developing story.
