Former Butler Athletic Trainer's Bankruptcy Filing Pauses Sexual Abuse Litigation

Former Butler University assistant athletic trainer Michael Howell filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy last month, halting the claims by current and former women’s soccer players of sexual abuse that he has faced since July 2023.

As reported by managing editor Aiden Gregg of The Butler Collegian, bankruptcy filings initiate an automatic stay on legal proceedings for the debtor until they are able to pay off their debts. The athletes' claims of negligence against Butler University and Ralph Reiff, the associate athletic director for student-athlete health, performance and well-being, will proceed. 

Related: Fourth Women's Soccer Player Sues Butler Alleging Athletic Trainer Abuse

Butler University’s crossclaim against Howell will pause, Gregg reported, adding Butler seeks to force Howell to pay the university for its legal fees and financial damages if it is found responsible for Howell’s misconduct. 

Additionally, Howell’s crossclaim against the university alleging Title IX violation will be the property of Howell’s bankruptcy estate. The future status of his crossclaim is unclear.

Per Gregg's reporting, Howell will have five years to pay his creditors in installments. In the meantime, the women’s soccer players’ proceedings against Butler University and Ralph Reiff will continue. 

Legal counsel for the women’s soccer players and Howell could not be reached for comment at the time of publication, according to Gregg. Butler University declined to comment.