FBI part of Michigan Police's investigation on fired Michigan football assistant Matt Weiss

The University of Michigan Police department told the Free Press on Thursday that it has been working with the FBI "for months" to investigate former Michigan football co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss' computer case.

"The University of Michigan Police Department has partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding the Matt Weiss unauthorized computer access incident," the police said in an email on Thursday.

"Currently, the investigation is extensive, ongoing, and is of the utmost priority. Additional information will be provided when available."  

The FBI and Michigan Police teamed up to investigate Weiss, who was fired in January by athletic director Warde Manuel. He has not been arrested.

Weiss was first placed on leave and then fired after Michigan Police received a "report of computer access crimes" that occurred in Schembechler Hall from Dec. 21-23. According to the Michigan Police log, a university employee informed police about the incident on Jan. 5 and numerous reports have surfaced that authorities were seen in marked and unmarked vehicles at Weiss' Ann Arbor home a few days later.

The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that an outside investigative firm reached out to the NCAA last week after it found video and files that outline a sign-stealing plan that is the center of the latest Michigan football controversy.

Michigan Deputy Chief of Police Melissa Overton said the Weiss investigation is “not related to the sign-stealing allegation in any way.”

The firm’s findings to the NCAA on Oct. 17 suggested that suspended Michigan staffer Connor Stalions, the central figure in the alleged operation, enlisted the help of several others in the scheme, which cost nearly $15,000 this season, according to the report.

The NCAA notified Michigan and the Big Ten last week that an investigation has begun. ESPN reported Thursday that NCAA investigators have been in Ann Arbor this week regarding the sign-stealing probe.