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Coastal Carolina cheerleading suspended; team members allegedly acted as escorts

CONWAY, S.C. -- The Coastal Carolina cheerleading team has been suspended amid an investigation into allegations that its members worked as strippers and escorts.

Local news outlets reported Friday an investigatory report obtained under an open records request includes text messages in which current and former members of the cheer team discuss jobs as strippers.

The investigator also wrote that the cheerleaders were paid up to $1,500 for escorting men to events and were paid in gifts including clothes and designer handbags.

The report noted the cheerleaders did not have sex with clients.

The entire team has been suspended from cheering during the investigation. According to the investigatory report, university officials began looking into the team after receiving an anonymous letter.