What did FSU know in Jameis Winston case?

University, police department now under national scrutiny

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State University and the police department that handled the Jameis Winston case have now come under national scrutiny. There are still many unanswered questions about the investigation.

The Winston investigation into a sexual assault claim isn't behind the university or police yet.

A scathing media report cited numerous missteps in the Tallahassee Police Department's investigation. They included a lack of effort in obtaining surveillance footage from the bar the accuser and Winston were at, and half-hearted attempts to contact witnesses and a cab driver.

State Attorney Willie Meggs, who's office was not notified until 11 months after the encounter, has maintained the police department didn't make it easy from the beginning.

"It would of been nice to talk to people in Potbelly's," said Meggs. "It would of been nice to have the video of what went on in Potbelly's prior to the incident. It would have been nice to have an interview with the suspect."

Attempts to interview the chief of the Tallahassee Police Department were made. A public information officer instead gave a statement.

Part of the statement read, "We take seriously the obligation to respond to any individual who wants to report a crime, regardless of who they are accusing."

It's not just the department that's being scrutinized. It is still unclear when exactly FSU was informed of the investigation.

"I would have to assume they found out the same day it happened," said Meggs.

FSU launched a website devoted to its response to the media report. The university legally has to look into a sexual assault complaint the moment it's been notified.

FSU maintains it has fulfilled all of its legal obligations and objected to the media report.

The university is currently being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education for its handling of the case. Winston's accuser filed the complaint.