| | Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS -- Federal investigators are considering more
than a dozen felony counts against former Minnesota basketball
coach Clem Haskins and former academic counselor Alonzo Newby,
according to a television report.
WCCO-TV also reported Thursday that former player Antoine
Broxsie will not offer a voluntary statement to the FBI, which is
investigating the case. Former tutor Jan Gangelhoff has said she
received $3,000 in cash from Haskins for tutoring Broxsie.
The Star Tribune of Minneapolis on Friday quoted a source it
said was familiar with the investigation as saying that federal
investigators do not intend to bring any charges against any
student-athletes involved.
The newspaper did not identify its source.
"I know the investigation is focusing on people above
Gangelhoff, and it's pretty obvious that they are going after Clem
and they are going after Newby, and Clem is one and Newby is two,"
the source told the newspaper. "I understand they are giving free
passes to all the athletes."
Gangelhoff revealed in March 1999 that she wrote more than 400
research papers and tests for about 20 players.
Gangelhoff has agreed to plead guilty to one felony count
related to federal grant money given to former Minnesota guard
Bobby Jackson and to testify before a grand jury, WCCO reported.
Prosecutors will argue that by doing Jackson's work, Gangelhoff
enabled him to collect Pell Grant student aid.
Gangelhoff is to testify against Haskins and Newby, and in
exchange, prosecutors will ask that she not receive any prison
time, according to station.
In addition to the federal inquiry, Gangelhoff's revelation has
led to the departure of Haskins and two top administrators,
university-imposed sanctions and an NCAA investigation.
The Saint Paul Pioneer Press reported Thursday that federal
investigators have expanded their investigation to determine
whether cheating occurred before Gangelhoff did coursework for
players.
Investigators now are looking into Haskins' role in the alleged
mail fraud, wire fraud and misappropriation of Pell Grant funds to
determine when the fraud began.
On Monday, the university sued Haskins to recover the $1.5
million it paid to buy out his contract, saying the coach lied when
he denied giving $3,000 to Gangelhoff and that he told players to
mislead investigators after the scandal broke. Haskins' attorney
said the university's allegations are false.
Key witnesses will testify before a federal grand jury in
Minneapolis next week, including Gangelhoff and her sister, Jeanne
Payer, who was also a tutor at the university, and Jackson, WCCO
said. The station also said Broxsie and other former players almost
certainly will be subpoenaed. | |
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