Fees dropped towards former USF coach Jim Leavitt

Metro Loud
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A former College of Southern Florida soccer coach had legal expenses towards him dropped on Wednesday, in line with a number of experiences. 

Jim Leavitt was arrested late final month by St. Petersburg Police on misdemeanor easy battery and home battery, and felony grand theft, however the state’s legal professional’s workplace in Clearwater, Florida, mentioned in a courtroom submitting that the “details and circumstances” gave advantage to closing the case, The Athletic reported

Leavitt, who was the primary coach and the winningest in USF soccer program historical past, was arrested on Aug. 25 after he allegedly grabbed the appropriate arm of his ex-girlfriend, Alexandra Saab, as she was attempting to stroll away from him, the Tampa Bay Instances reported


South Florida head coach Jim Leavitt watches his group play Charleston Southern throughout a NCAA faculty soccer recreation in Tampa, Fla. on Sept. 19, 2009. AP

The previous soccer coach additionally had been accused of taking Saab’s Louis Vuitton purse, clutch and pockets and refused to return them to her. He admitted to holding onto her purse whereas attempting to talk together with her, in line with an affidavit. 

Moreover, Leavitt, 68, was accused of pushing one other male on the chest, although Leavitt advised police that the person, recognized as Robert Howard, had walked into him.

Each Saab and Howard advised prosecutors that they didn’t need to press expenses nor would would they take part within the prosecution, State Legal professional Bruce Bartlett advised the Tampa Bay Instances. 

“They mentioned it was a misunderstanding and issues bought out of hand,” Bartlett mentioned. “They argued, tempers bought flared a bit of bit.”

Leavitt’s legal professional, Lucas Fleming, advised the outlet that the previous soccer coach was “relieved” on the determination by prosecutors and that they “recognize the state’s fast and considerate consideration on this matter.”


South Florida coach Jim Leavitt is escorted off the field after losing to Louisville in an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008.
South Florida coach Jim Leavitt is escorted off the sphere after shedding to Louisville in an NCAA faculty soccer recreation in Louisville, Ky. on Oct. 25, 2008. AP

Leavitt is slated to enter USF’s athletics Corridor of Fame subsequent month for his contributions to the soccer program, which embrace main them to a quick No. 2 nationwide rating through the 2007. 

He had 95 wins as the top coach of USF, however he’s additionally remembered for the incident that led to his dismissal in January 2010 after an investigation discovered that Leavitt grabbed walk-on operating again Joel Miller by the throat and slapped him throughout a November 2009 recreation towards Louisville. 

Leavitt denied the claims and he and USF finally settled a wrongful termination go well with for $2.75 million. 

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