Jameis Winston FSU Update: Did Cops Cover Up Sexual Assault Allegations?

There is apparently evidence that Tallahassee police tried to cover up Florida State University quarterback Jameis Winston’s sexual assault allegations, TMZ reported Thursday. The star player is accused of using “physical force” on a victim for “sexual gratification,” but apparently the State Attorney's Office never heard about the Dec. 7, 2012, incident until Tuesday, sources told TMZ, which is just one day before the story began to go viral on the Internet.

The investigation was finished in February, according to Winston’s lawyer, which is when the prosecutor typically would have been notified. So the fact that the State’s Attorney’s Office hadn’t heard about the case until now is highly “suspicious,” a source told TMZ, and now the Tallahassee Police Department may have a scandal on its hands.

Now that the State’s Attorney’s Office is aware of the case, it has been reopened and sent back to the police to continue the investigation, the celebrity news site added. If the star athlete, who is a contender for the Heisman Trophy, were charged with felony sexual assault, he would have to be automatically benched under FSU’s rules, dooming his chances.

For now, Winston’s position on the team is unchanged. A rep for Florida State University told TMZ: "We are aware of a matter that was investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department almost a year ago. Because the investigation has not been closed by TPD, we cannot comment further at this time. We look forward to a speedy resolution of the issue. There is no change in Jameis Winston's status."

In the police report filed in 2012, the college QB was described as being “muscular” and having a “polite demeanor.” Alcohol was allegedly involved in the incident.