'U' tells Haskins it may sue

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- University of Minnesota officials have told former men's basketball coach Clem Haskins they may sue him to recover at least some of the buyout money he received last year.

Haskins accepted a $1.5 million contract buyout in July after a university investigation revealed widespread academic cheating in the basketball program.

A university report issued in November concluded Haskins knew of the fraud, lied to investigators and told his players to lie after the wrongdoing was exposed.

University President Mark Yudof said a letter was sent to Haskins last week. Yudof said the letter told Haskins the university was considering its options, saying Haskins may have misled university investigators.

''We have not decided whether we will sue or not,'' said Yudof.