CriminalSports

Mon, 18 Nov 2002 21:42:53 GMT

MLB

Hooligan Teen Gets Probation for Game Attack

NFL

Panthers Suspend Peppers for 4 Games

Mon, 18 Nov 2002 21:40:57 GMT

Ex-Ohio St. Linebacker Sentenced

Court Claims Could Put Alabama Back Before NCAA

Miami of Ohio Coach Released on Bail

Mon, 18 Nov 2002 21:39:42 GMT

Knight Sues Over Firing at Indiana

More than two years after getting fired, Bobby Knight is fighting back against Indiana University. The former Hoosiers basketball coach is suing the University, alleging he lost more than $2 million in income since he the school fired him September 10, 2000.

Police Arrest Virginia Basketball Guard on DUI Charges

Mon, 18 Nov 2002 21:38:41 GMT

Three Charged With Fixing Breeders Cup Bet

Three former college friends turned themselves in on Tuesday to face fraud charges for rigging horse racing bets to try to win $3 million in an attempted theft believed to be the biggest in U.S. racing history.

Mon, 18 Nov 2002 21:37:28 GMT

Nov. 9-15, 2002

NBA

Webber Asks Charges Be Thrown Out

Chris Webber's lawyer filed a motion in federal court Wednesday asking a judge to throw out federal charges the player lied to a grand jury about his involvement with former Michigan booster Ed Martin.

Williams Wants Indictment Tossed

Defense lawyers described a distraught Jayson Williams calling for help and diving toward a limousine driver he accidentally shot to counter prosecutors' portrayal of the former basketball player cursing the other man and showing off with a shotgun.

Bulls' Fizer Pleads Innocent to Weapons Charge

Samake Suspended for Steroids Violation

Wed, 06 Nov 2002 00:28:24 GMT

SUSPENDED: Brentson Buckner, Carolina Panthers

NEW YORK -- ESPN.com reports Veteran tackle Brentson Buckner of the Carolina Panthers was suspended four games Monday for violating the NFL's steroids abuse policy. The much-traveled Buckner, in his ninth season in the league, has helped turn Carolina's unit into one of the league's best defensive lines. Buckner's agent, George Mavrikes, said Buckner took a diet pill before training camp with an ingredient that's on the league's list of banned substances.

"It was all-organic, all-natural, and that's where you get into trouble,'' Mavrikes said. "He didn't really think that by taking a diet pill it would be banned, because it was not a performance enhancer."

Buckner, 31, will be eligible to return to the team after its Dec. 1 game at Cleveland. During the suspension, Buckner cannot work out at Carolina's facility and cannot have contact with team officials. The suspension will cost him $164,705. His base salary this season is $700,000.

Wed, 06 Nov 2002 00:21:50 GMT

CONVICTED: Jose Canseco, Former MLB

MIAMI -- Associated Press reports Jose Canseco and his twin brother pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges they beat up two men in a nightclub fight, agreeing to probation and community service but avoiding prison time. The Cansecos made the deal while their trial was in jury selection. Jose Canseco agreed to three years' probation, 250 hours of community service and the anger control classes. Ozzie Canseco must complete 18 months' probation, 200 hours of community service and the anger classes.

Jose Canseco pleaded guilty to one count of felony aggravated battery and two counts of misdemeanor battery. His brother pleaded to one count of felony battery and one misdemeanor battery count.

Wed, 06 Nov 2002 00:14:01 GMT

INNOCENT PLEA: Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Associated Press reports Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski pleaded innocent to charges of driving under the influence. He did not appear in court to enter his plea Monday and remains free on his own recognizance. If convicted, Janikowski, Oakland's first-round draft pick in 2000, could face up to six months in jail. Janikowski was stopped for speeding in Oakland early last month and failed a sobriety test, police said. Officers said his blood-alcohol level registered 0.20, more than twice the legal limit.

Wed, 06 Nov 2002 00:08:55 GMT

ARRESTED: Marty Johnson, Utah Football

SALT LAKE CITY -- Associated Press reports Utah running back Marty Johnson could face drunken-driving charges in a case in which he is accused of leaving the scene of an accident after crashing into a parked car near the school stadium. Johnson was arrested Oct. 27. Former teammate Anthony Arceneaux, kicked off the team for an undisclosed violation of team rules a week earlier, also was arrested for allegedly trying to cover for Johnson.

Mon, 04 Nov 2002 19:35:23 GMT

STABBED: Anthony Davis, Wisconsin Football

MADISON, Wis. -- Associated Press reports Wisconsin star running back Anthony Davis was stabbed in the left leg early Sunday morning in a domestic altercation at his apartment. Davis suffered a puncture wound to the middle of his left thigh and was transported to the University of Wisconsin Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment and observation. According to the school, he may be released as early as Monday.

Mon, 04 Nov 2002 19:32:26 GMT

ARRESTED: Dawan Moss, Michigan State Football

EAST LANSING, Michigan -- Associated Press reports Michigan State officials announced Sunday quarterback Jeff Smoker has a substance abuse problem and dismissed arrested running back Dawan Moss from the team. On October 24, Williams suspended the 21-year-old Smoker for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

Moss was dismissed from the team by Williams after his arrest Saturday night on felony and misdemeanor charges. According to Lansing Police Department Sgt. Dave Dahlke, Moss was charged with fleeing and eluding, a felony, and operating under the influence and resisting arrest, a pair of misdemeanors. He was jailed, arraigned on the charges Sunday morning and posted bond.

Mon, 04 Nov 2002 19:24:13 GMT

Ted Williams' Son Sued by Sports Promoter

BOSTON -- Associated Press reports the son of Hall of Famer Ted Williams is being sued by a promoter who contends he is owed more money from the sale of NBA sports memorabilia. Lane Forman is suing John Henry Williams for his portion of the profits for the sale of products bearing pictures of Charles Barkley and Larry Bird. Forman said he was promised 5 percent of the gross profits in agreements signed with Williams' Grand Slam Marketing from 1992-94. Williams says he paid Forman $2,500. Forman says he received one payment of $1,710 and is seeking $250,000 in damages.

Fri, 01 Nov 2002 22:09:58 GMT

NEW SENTENCING: Riddick Bowe, Former Heavyweight Champion

RICHMOND, Va. -- Associated Press reports a federal appeals court ordered a judge to resentence former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe to at least 18 months in prison for abducting his wife and their five children from their Charlotte, N.C., home in 1998. U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen erred in giving Bowe credit for time spent on probation, a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Wednesday. Mullen's decision allowed Bowe to escape prison time.

Fri, 01 Nov 2002 22:05:09 GMT

ARRESTED: Tommy Bennett, Former NFL

PHOENIX -- Associated Press reports former Arizona Cardinals safety Tommy Bennett was arrested last week, accused of failing to appear in court on charges of drug paraphernalia possession and driving with a suspended license. The Cardinals released Bennett in August 2001, and he signed with the Detroit Lions. He was suspended for the final four games of 2001 for violating the NFL's steroid-use policy. The Lions did not renew his contract.

Fri, 01 Nov 2002 21:10:55 GMT

CHARGED: Ryan McGuffy, Wyoming Football

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Associated Press reports Wyoming receiver and team captain Ryan McGuffey was suspended indefinitely after being charged with drunken driving. McGuffey, 21, rear-ended a pickup truck on an interstate highway early Sunday, said Sgt. Stephen Townsend of the Wyoming Highway Patrol. No one was injured. McGuffey posted $400 bond and was released later Sunday, officials said.

Thu, 31 Oct 2002 22:13:43 GMT

APOLOGY: William Ligue, Jr., Baseball Hooligan

CHICAGO -- Associated Press reports the man who joined his teenage son in attacking Kansas City Royals coach Tom Gamboa during a game in September apologized in a phone call from jail to a Chicago-area newspaper. "I regret what happened," 35-year-old William Ligue Jr. said in Thursday's editions of the Daily Southtown. He added that he doesn't remember much from the bizarre episode.

"If I was in my right state of mind, this would never have occurred," he said. "I am so sorry for Mr. Gamboa. I disgraced Chicago and myself. I apologize with my heart."

A grand jury indicted Ligue on Oct. 11 on three counts of aggravated battery and one count of mob action. He is being held on $200,000 bond and is scheduled to be in court Friday for an arraignment. His son has pleaded guilty in juvenile court to one charge of aggravated battery and two counts of mob action for striking Gamboa and an off-duty state trooper, who was working security at the game. The teen is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 7.

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:43:02 GMT

CONSIDERING PLEA DEAL: Derrick Rogers, Miami Dolphins

MIAMI -- Associated Press reports Dolphins linebacker Derrick Rodgers was given an extension Friday to decide on a plea offer on charges he kicked and punched his wife and attacked a man with her at a restaurant.

A new hearing is Nov. 15. If Rodgers doesn't accept the offer, he will go on trial Nov. 25.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Rodgers has pleaded innocent to five charges. Under the offer, he would be sentenced to three years' probation.

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:40:31 GMT

CHARGED: Deuce McAlister, New Orleans Saints

KENNER, La. -- Associated Press reports New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister was arrested for driving with a suspended license after he was caught speeding. McAllister was pulled over Saturday morning on his way to the Saints' practice facility for driving 70 mph in a 40 mph zone, coach Jim Haslett said. McAllister's license was suspended because he had not paid a ticket.

McAllister was booked at the Kenner jail, then transported to a Jefferson Parish jail where he was released on bond, police said. The bond amount and length of time McAllister spent in jail was unknown.

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:37:21 GMT

CHARGES REFILED: Tamotu Tagoa'i, Nebraska Football

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Associated Press reports prosecutors will refile assault charges against a Nebraska football player for failing to comply with a program in which he was ordered to do community service. Tamotu "Junior" Tagoa'i was accused of hitting his girlfriend in the jaw at their apartment on Oct. 23, 2001. Lancaster County Attorney Gary Lacey said Tuesday his office decided to file third-degree assault charges.

Among the unmet requirements cited were failure to verify completion of 30 hours of community service and a mandatory domestic violence prevention course, Lacey said.

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:33:38 GMT

CHARGED: Peter Martocci, Hofstra Football

MINEOLA, N.Y. -- Associated Press reports a Hofstra football player posted $100,000 bond on Tuesday following his arrest on charges he raped and sodomized a female student on a campus athletic field. Peter Martocci pleaded innocent Monday, his lawyer, Bruce Eiber, said. Martocci, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound offensive lineman, was automatically suspended from the team because he was charged with a felony, Hofstra spokesman Michael DeLuise said.

According to prosecutors, Martocci met the 18-year-old woman at a bar Saturday night, and as the two were walking together early the next morning, he attacked her when she refused to go to his dorm room, police said. He was arrested Sunday.

If convicted, the 19-year-old player could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison.

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:29:17 GMT

LITIGATION: Bobby Knight v. Indiana U.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Associated Press reports attorneys for Indiana University and former basketball coach Bob Knight agreed to extend the deadline for their talks on settling issues related to Knight's dismissal. Knight, who was fired Sept. 10, 2000, by IU President Myles Brand, gave the school notice early 2001 that he might sue for wrongful dismissal.

That notice claimed he suffered more than $7 million in damages, including lost income, mental humiliation and interference with his prospects for employment. Friday was the deadline for talks between the two sides about a possible settlement of the issues. IU spokesman Bill Stephan said Saturday that attorneys decided to extend the talks again by seven to 10 days.

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:26:54 GMT

CHARGES DISMISSED: Tony Cole, Georgia Basketball

ATHENS, Ga. -- Associated Press reports misdemeanor assault charges against former Georgia basketball player Tony Cole were dismissed Thursday when the accuser decided not to pursue the case. Cole, dismissed from the basketball team last month for misconduct, was accused of assaulting a woman in her car Aug. 19. He also was accused of making harassing telephone calls to the woman and her female roommate.

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:23:24 GMT

DENIAL: Najeh Davenport, Green Bay Packers

MIAMI -- Associated Press reports Green Bay Packers fullback Najeh Davenport agreed Tuesday to do community service to settle charges he broke into a university dormitory and defecated in a sleeping woman's closet. Davenport, however, continued to deny the charges. "Where's the evidence? Where's the manure?" Davenport asked outside court. "I know I didn't do it — I just wanted to get it over with."

Details of the player's service were not released during his court appearance. He must sign up for the program by Nov. 12. If he completes the program, a felony charge of second-degree burglary and a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief will be dropped.

Prosecutor Jonathan Schwartz said by telephone he couldn't comment on specific evidence because the case could go back to court if Davenport fails the diversion program. But, he added: "If there was no evidence in the case, we wouldn't have brought any charges."

Thu, 24 Oct 2002 21:18:30 GMT

WINS LAWSUIT: Bruce Grobbelarr, Former Soccer

LONDON -- Associated Press reports Bruce Grobbelaar won a libel case Thursday in England's appeals highest court over charges of taking money to fix soccer games. But in overturning an earlier decision by the Court of Appeal, the House of Lords was unanimous in condemning the former Liverpool goalkeeper.

Grobbelaar won his case against Britain's tabloid Sun newspaper five years ago, but an appeals court overturned the ruling. The Sun first published the bribery allegations in November, 1994. On Thursday, four of five law lords - judges who sit in the House of Lords - reinstated the original verdict but slashed Grobelaar's damage award from 85,000 pounds (US$ 131,750) to a symbolic 1 pound (US$1.55).

The judges ruled that although Grobbelaar had accepted bribes, the newspaper had failed show he had intentionally allowed goals to be scored against him.

Thu, 24 Oct 2002 21:10:04 GMT

ARRESTED: Bryan Robinson, Chicago Bears

CHICAGO -- The Sports Network reports Chicago Bears defensive end Bryan Robinson has voluntarily entered himself into the NFL's substance-abuse program following his second DUI charge of the year, according to published reports. Robinson was arrested for drunken driving and released on his own recognizance early last Friday. He was pulled over by police in suburban Lincolnshire at 2:30 a.m. (ct) Friday for improper lane use. He was then arrested on charges of DUI, driving with a suspended license and improper lane use.

Robinson was released on a $3,000 recognizance bond last week and has a court date set for November 15.

"He used very poor judgment last week. He was out at 2:30 a.m. on a Friday morning before a Sunday game," Bears' Coach Dick Jauron said Wednesday. "Anything that causes us to be distracted from our goal is really not going to be tolerated on our football team."