"This is a serious allegation, obviously," Leath said in an interview with The Plainsman. "The FBI is involved. We're talking about felony-level crimes. There needs to be a thorough investigation."

The University has hired the high-powered Birmingham law firm Lightfoot, Franklin & White to conduct an internal review of the basketball program after federal prosecutors announced Tuesday that Person, a former Auburn star and NBA player, had been charged in an alleged bribery scheme.

"I don't have the time or the bandwidth right now to speculate on what might happen in the future," Leath said. "I'm running the university, making sure the students are successful and dealing with these serious misconduct charges."

When asked whether he would give a vote of confidence to athletic director Jay Jacobs, who has come under fire this year for the series of scandals that have occurred under his watch, Leath said he was focused on the serious misconduct charges against the basketball program.

"One: We need to make sure that we have people capable of doing it, and we thought these people are best capable of doing it more so than our internal personnel," Leath said. "Two: We needed to make sure that everybody is comfortable with the result and that this is an independent investigation by an outside party. So we were able to achieve both goals by hiring Lightfoot Franklin."

Lightfoot, Franklin & White has been a longtime go-to firm for the University and the athletics program. The University earlier this month chose the same firm to conduct an internal investigation into the women's softball program after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced.

Since October 2009, Auburn has paid Lightfoot, Franklin & White more than $2.3 million — mostly in legal expenses related to the athletics department, according to University public records.

"I think, since I've been here, I have had very straightforward discussions about what my expectations were, and they're capable of delivering on them, or I wouldn't have hired them," Leath said.

Leath is in his first year as Auburn's 19th president, having come on board in June after the retirement of former President Jay Gogue.

Full Transcript

Q: The University has hired a third-party legal counsel to investigate. Can you explain the reasoning behind that?

SL: This is a serious allegation, obviously. The FBI is involved. We're talking about felony-level crimes. There needs to be a thorough investigation. One, we need to make sure that we have people capable of doing it, and we thought these people are best capable of doing it more so than our internal personnel. Two, we needed to make sure that everybody is comfortable with the result and that this is an independent investigation by an outside party. So we were able to achieve both goals by hiring Lightfoot Franklin.

Q: The University has had a relationship with them for a long time. Do you believe they can be neutral in this?

SL: I haven't had a long-term relationship with them for a long time. I never met any of them until June. I guess you're implying the University has had a longterm relationship with them. I think, since I've been here, I have had very straightforward discussions about what my expectations were, and they're capable of delivering on them, or I wouldn't have hired them.

Q: There has been a lot that has come out in the last couple of months. You just got here. Are you still confident in the athletics department? Are you still confident in Jay Jacobs?