A Look Back at the KU Ticket Scandal
The ticket scandal that rocked the KU Athletics Department in recent years isn’t quite over. According to city officials, Lawrence police may be involved.
Last year, seven former Kansas Athletics Department workers were convicted in federal court after stealing more than $1 million worth of KU basketball and football tickets and selling them for personal gain.
Former Associate Athletic Director Ben Kirtland was sentenced to 57 months in prison for the crime. Charlette Blubaugh and her husband, Thomas Blubaugh, also received 46 months. Kassie Liebsch is completing a 27 month sentence. The first defendants to learn their punishments, Jason Jefferies and Brandon Simmons, each received probation.
On Thursday, we learned the ticket scandal continues. Two Lawrence police officers were suspended after an investigation conducted by the FBI related to speeding tickets being fixed in exchange for KU basketball tickets. The city says the person who provided the tickets is one of the five people serving in federal prison for involvement in the KU ticket scandal. City and federal officials will not confirm which of the defendants is responsible.
The city also says an internal investigation is underway, but no crime has been committed.