Supreme Court orders judge to hold rehearing

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has sent a request for a grand jury investigation of the University of Nevada, Reno back to a district judge for a rehearing.

A petition filed by fired Nevada women's soccer coach Terri Patraw, UNR geology professor Richard Schweickert and UNR police officer Lane Grow seeks the probe into various claims against the university.

Washoe County District Judge Janet Berry rejected their request, but the high court on Thursday referred the case back to her for a hearing to determine whether there's sufficient evidence to empanel a grand jury.

In denying the request, Berry said petitioners had "failed to allege sufficient facts to establish any alleged crimes were committed" under a statute they cited. The judge said the statute limits inquiries to county public officers.

But the Supreme Court disagreed and noted grand juries can investigate the conduct of any public officer.

The petition accuses UNR officials of "many major violations of state laws that include fraud, embezzlement, forgery, obstruction of justice and perjury."

Earlier this week, the state attorney general's office closed a five-month investigation into similar claims leveled against the university by Patraw, Schweickert, Grow and fired UNR animal science professor Hussein S. Hussein.

Investigators said they found nothing that would rise to the level of a criminal offense.

In their petition to the Supreme Court, the current and former UNR employees allege the attorney general's office is either involved in the criminal conduct or a cover-up.