The University of California, Davis paid a public relations firm at least $175,000 to help restore its reputation after controversial images of a university police officer spraying student protesters with pepper spray made headlines in 2011, according to a report.
The university first hired Maryland public relations firm Nevins & Associates in 2013 at a fee of $15,000 per month, according to a Sacramento Bee report. The newspaper received copies of the company’s contract with the university after a public records request.
Nevins & Associates agreed to help scrub records of the incident from Google search results and consult with the schools chancellor on “brand enhancement,” according to the report. A quick Google search shows that the images of the incident are still readily available.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- The Revolution of Yulia Navalnaya
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- What's the Deal With the Bitcoin Halving?
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Justin Worland at justin.worland@time.com