Latest news with #MatthewWeiss
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Simmons University grad says ex-NFL coach stole intimate photos in class action lawsuit
A former Simmons University cross-country runner has filed a class action lawsuit, claiming her alma mater failed to protect her and hundreds of thousands of other female student-athletes' personal data. The graduate — identified only as a Plymouth County woman who attended Simmons University, located in Boston, from 2012 to 2016 — said she is a victim of Matthew Weiss, a former coach at the University of Michigan and Baltimore Ravens. Weiss, 42, was indicted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on March 20 on two dozen counts, accusing him of stealing the medical and personal data of more than 150,000 student-athletes from 2015 until January 2023. The charges came more than two years after Weiss was dismissed as the University of Michigan assistant football coach for 'inappropriately' accessing computer accounts. Weiss specifically went after about 3,300 female student-athletes from 100 different universities based on where they went to school and their 'athletic history, physical characteristics and sexual preferences,' the class action suit read. He accessed the young women's social media, email and cloud storage, and 'downloaded personal, intimate digital photographs and videos that were never intended to be shared beyond intimate partners,' the suit read. The Plymouth County woman and former Simmons cross-country runner, who filed the lawsuit on Monday in Boston federal court, was notified by the DOJ that she was a victim in Weiss's criminal case on March 31. In the Massachusetts suit, Weiss is named with Simmons University and its trustees as defendants, along with Pennsylvania-based data company Keffer Development Services LLC. Keffer owns a medical record system known as 'The Athletic Trainer System,' the suit reads, which records student-athlete health data, including treatment histories, injuries and diagnoses, photos and insurance information. It also tracks personal details such as height, weight, mental health and demographics. The plaintiff, 'Jane Doe,' accuses both Simmons and Keffer of not upholding their duties 'to protect the private data of student athletes stored within their systems and to have controls in place to prevent gross invasions of privacy as occurred in this case,' the suit read. A spokesperson for Simmons University said the school cannot comment on the pending litigation, but that it takes protecting its students' information seriously. ' ... We want to emphasize that we take matters of student privacy and online security extremely seriously and remain committed to protecting our community,' a statement from the spokesperson read. Doe's suit said she and her class action members endured the 'invasion and loss of privacy, loss of dignity, humiliation, embarrassment, and severe emotional distress' from the access of their information. The plaintiffs seek a jury trial, along with upwards of $5 million monetary awards in compensatory, nominal and punitive damages, and reimbursement for attorney costs. This class action suit is the latest legal action by a former or current U.S. college student with ties to their school's athletic department taken against Weiss and their schools since his indictment. Four other University of Michigan students filed class action suits at the end of March. Judge refuses to dismiss lawsuit against Heriberto Flores, founder of troubled NE Farmworkers Council 'All Access PD: Grand Rapids' new episode tonight - Where to stream free Second homicide victim found near Salem Walmart identified as Oregon man Mass. man faces attempted rape, kidnapping charges after attack on female Uber driver Police identify 5 involved in attack on college student in downtown Boston Read the original article on MassLive.
Associated Press
28-03-2025
- Associated Press
First Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against University of Michigan for Massive Privacy Breach Affecting Thousands of Female Athletes
Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC has filed the first class action lawsuit against the University of Michigan CHICAGO, IL, March 27, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC has filed the first class action lawsuit against the University of Michigan, the Regents of the University of Michigan, Matthew Weiss, and Keffer Development Services, LLC, alleging a massive breach of privacy affecting over 3,300 individuals, primarily female student-athletes. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Case No. 2:25-cv-10806), alleges that defendants allowed unauthorized access to sensitive personal information, private photographs, and videos of thousands of student-athletes. According to the complaint, Matthew Weiss, a former University of Michigan employee, allegedly accessed—without authorization—the social media accounts, emails, cloud storage, and personal information of thousands of female student-athletes over approximately eight years (2015-2023). The complaint alleges that Weiss targeted female athletes and downloaded private photographs and videos that were never intended to be shared beyond the plaintiffs' intimate partners. 'This case represents one of the most significant breaches of student-athlete privacy in recent memory,' said Parker Stinar, lead attorney for the plaintiffs. 'Our clients placed their trust in the University of Michigan and its vendors, only to have their most personal and private information compromised due to what we allege was negligence and recklessness.' The lawsuit alleges that the University of Michigan, its Regents, and Keffer Development Services failed to implement adequate security measures, proper supervision, or employee monitoring that would have protected the plaintiffs' privacy. According to the complaint, Weiss allegedly: Gained unauthorized access to student-athlete databases maintained by Keffer Development Services Downloaded personally identifiable information (PII) and medical data of more than 150,000 athletes Obtained passwords used by athletes to access computer systems Used this access to download private photographs and videos The lawsuit includes claims for violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the Stored Communications Act, Title IX, and various state laws involving invasion of privacy, negligence, and conversion. The plaintiffs are seeking damages exceeding $100 million, along with costs, interest, and attorney fees. The class action complaint seeks to represent all persons whose personal information, images, data, social media, or videos were accessed by Weiss without authorization. 'This lawsuit is not only about seeking justice for those whose information was stolen but also about forcing the University of Michigan to confront its systemic failures and ensure such breaches never happen again. The case will hold the institution accountable for its lack of appropriate safeguards and transparency regarding the security of its student-athletes' personal and medical data. In the face of such violations, SGGH is committed to turning over every stone in our pursuit of justice. Through litigation, we will uncover the flaws in Michigan's cyber security protocols that led to this massive breach, and demand real change to protect vulnerable individuals from similar harms in the future. We will fight relentlessly to secure justice for all those affected.' said Parker Stinar, lead attorney for the plaintiffs. This case highlights the growing concern around data privacy and the security of personal information in the digital age, particularly in university settings where students entrust institutions with their personal data. About Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC is a law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals in complex litigation matters. The firm has extensive experience in class action lawsuits, privacy law, and representing victims of institutional failures. Managing Partner, Parker Stinar, previously led the University of Michigan/Robert Anderson sexual abuse matter which resolved for $490 million dollars for more than 1,000 individuals. For more information, visit
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Lawsuit filed against former Michigan coach in alleged hacking case
Two alleged victims of Matthew Weiss are suing the former co-offensive coordinator for the University of Michigan's football team, who was arraigned Monday on federal charges that allege he hacked into the accounts of thousands of athletes to access private information, including "intimate images." The federal lawsuit was filed a day after the Department of Justice announced Weiss had been indicted on two dozen federal charges alleging he hacked into thousands of athlete and alumni accounts and downloaded private data, including intimate photos, over eight years. The plaintiffs, who are not identified by name in the lawsuit, are two former University of Michigan female athletes. One was a member of the university's women's gymnastics team who attended the school between 2017 and 2018, and the other was a member of the women's soccer team who attended between 2017 and 2023, according to the lawsuit. Citing the allegations in the indictment against Weiss, the lawsuit claimed that between 2015 and January 2023, the former coach unlawfully gained access to the social media, email and/or cloud storage accounts of more than 3,300 people, including the two plaintiffs, and then downloaded personal, intimate photos and videos. Weiss primarily targeted female college athletes, the indictment alleged. ABC News has reached out to Weiss' attorney for comment on the lawsuit and federal charges and has not gotten a response. MORE: Former University of Michigan football coach indicted for hacking accounts, downloading 'intimate' photos The University of Michigan and the Regents of the University of Michigan are also named as defendants in the lawsuit, which alleged that as a result of their "recklessness and negligence," Weiss downloaded the women's "personal, intimate digital photographs and videos." The lawsuit alleges the university violated Title XI and that its "deliberate indifference to protection against the invasion of privacy for female athletes created a heightened risk of sexual harassment." "Plaintiffs are embarrassed, ashamed, humiliated, and mortified that their private information has been access[ed] by total strangers and third parties," the lawsuit stated. In response to the lawsuit, Kay Jarvis, the director of public affairs for the University of Michigan, said in a statement to ABC News, "We have not been served with the complaint and cannot comment on pending litigation." The lawsuit alleges that Weiss was able to gain unauthorized access to the student-athlete databases of more than 100 colleges and universities maintained by Keffer Development Services, LLC, a Pennsylvania-based company, and downloaded the personally identifiable information and medical data of over 150,000 athletes. He is then accused of gaining access to the social media, email, and/or cloud storage accounts of more than 2,000 "targeted athletes," including the plaintiffs, by guessing or resetting their passwords, according to the lawsuit. "Once he obtained access to the accounts of targeted athletes, Weiss searched for and downloaded personal, intimate photographs and videos that were not publicly shared, including but not limited to Plaintiffs and others similar to them," the lawsuit alleged. Weiss illegally gained access to the accounts of more than 1,300 additional students or alumni from universities across the country, the lawsuit alleged. Keffer is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, which alleged that the company's "misconduct, negligence, and recklessness also contributed to Weiss invading the privacy of Plaintiffs and their fellow student athletes." ABC News has reached out to the company for comment. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the two plaintiffs and as a potential class action on behalf of other alleged victims. The number of potential class members is unclear but is estimated to exceed 1,000, the lawsuit stated. MORE: How Walmart shoppers can qualify for cash from $45 million settlement Weiss, 42, was arraigned Monday on 14 counts of unauthorized access to computers and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf, The Associated Press reported. His attorney, Douglas Mullkoff, declined to comment to the AP following the proceeding. He was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond, ESPN reported. If convicted, Weiss could face up to five years in prison on each count of unauthorized access and two years on each count of aggravated identity theft, according to the attorney's office. Michigan fired Weiss in January 2023. Athletic Director Warde Manuel said in a statement the termination came "after a review of University policies." Weiss acknowledged an "ongoing investigation" and told ESPN at the time of his firing that he was "fully cooperating." "I have nothing but respect for the University of Michigan and the people who make it such a great place," Weiss tweeted after his firing. "I look forward to putting this matter behind me and returning my focus to the game I love." Weiss started his career at Michigan as a quarterbacks coach in 2021 and then became co-offensive coordinator as well the following year. Before that, he worked as a coach in various capacities for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens from 2009 to 2020. ABC News' Nadine El-Bawab contributed to this report. Lawsuit filed against former Michigan coach in alleged hacking case originally appeared on
