Northwestern University hazing lawsuits on new track after claims school attorneys mishandled confidential information

The hot-button lawsuits related to Northwestern University’s hazing scandal — some alleging widespread abuse on the football team, another claiming ex-coach Pat Fitzgerald was wrongly fired — will be consolidated for the time being, a Cook County judge ruled this week.

The decision came after attorneys representing ex-players accused Northwestern’s lawyers of using confidential information obtained in the former players’ lawsuit to help craft their strategy in the separate Fitzgerald case.