Florida State University (FSU) has officially opened its Title IX investigation into the sexual assault complaint brought against Jameis Winston in Dec. 2012.

John Clune, the complainant's attorney, confirmed to ESPN and USA Today that FSU investigators interviewed his client in early Aug. Though she reported her sexual assault in Dec. 2012, the case was near-closed for months apparently at the fault of the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD).

"They assured us that the Title IX process was going to move forward," Clune told USA Today. "The interview went pretty well. I think it was a positive experience, and everyone felt like the university was taking it very seriously."

FSU's investigation is expected to bring about student conduct code charges against Winston, the Seminoles football team's quarterback. Clune said the Aug. 7 interview between school investigators and his client turned up more information than FSU had received from the TPD.

David Cornwell, an attorney in Atlanta who acts as an advisor to the Winston family, said he expects FSU's investigation to turn out like the State Attorney in Tallassee's did.

"There is clearly a Title IX investigation commenced," he told USA Today. "There's no question, but it's not because the university did something wrong. It's not because these Colorado lawyers forced them to do something. It is because (the woman) refused to be interviewed previously and now she's willing to be. That's the only reason."

The alleged victim filed her rape complaint the night of the incident in Dec. 2012, but did not name Winston as the attacker until a month later. Being intoxicated that night likely made it hard for her to remember who it was, but she said she saw Winston in class in Jan. and recognized him as her attacker. Semen found on the woman's underwear confirmed she had sex with Winston that night, but the state attorney ultimately declined to pursue criminal charges.

The woman filed a lawsuit with the TPD for leaving the case inactive from Feb. 2013 to Nov., when the TPD passed the case along to the state attorney, Willie Meggs. Nearly a year after the incident took place, Meggs ruled that he would not pursue criminal charges against Winston.

In following through with its Title IX investigation into the matter, FSU also interviewed two other subjects, but would not disclose who they were. Since the school will not discuss ongoing matters, it is unclear if Winston has spoken with school investigators.

According to the Wall Street Journal, a student misconduct code violation requires a lower threshold for evidence and Winston could be punished for "conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for another person."

FSU had already been under investigation from the U.S. Education Department's Office of Civil Rights to determine if the school had violated Title IX. If Winston is punished, he could face anything from a probation to expulsion.

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