SAN DIEGO (AP) – The existence of taped conversations between Reggie Bush or members of his family and an investor in a failed sports marketing agency could confirm the New Orleans Saints’ running back received cash and gifts while playing for Southern California, Yahoo.com reported Wednesday.
A federal investigation into extortion claims by Bush and his family revealed the existence of the taped conversations, according to the Yahoo.com report.
According to a copy of a subpoena obtained by Yahoo, at least one of the witnesses was asked to hand over “any recordings in your possession of conversations between Lloyd Lake and Reggie Bush, Denise Griffin, or LaMar Griffin.”
Lloyd Lake, who founded a sports marketing agency in hopes of landing Bush as its first client, is the subject of a grand jury probe into the extortion claims. Denise Griffin is Bush’s mother, and LaMar Griffin is Bush’s stepfather.
Yahoo.com, citing unidentified sources, reported LaMar Griffin spoke with federal investigators in the spring of 2006 and acknowledged the existence of the tapes.
When asked in the past about the allegations of receiving inappropriate extra benefits, Bush has insisted he and his family did nothing wrong.
Multiple sources told Yahoo.com Lake made the tapes in late 2005 to protect his financial investment if Bush backed out of a deal to sign with New Era Sports & Entertainment, founded by Lake and San Diego businessman Michael Michaels. In January 2005, Bush signed with agent Joel Segal and marketing agent Mike Ornstein.
On Jan. 12, 2007, Lake’s mother, Barbara Gunner, testified before a grand jury, according to the Yahoo.com report, that she had heard portions of tapes made by her son, in which LaMar Griffin states Bush intended to repay New Era Sports “their money,” as well as for a car purchased for him.
“I respectfully decline to comment on the media frenzy regarding Reggie Bush, his family and his college career,” David Cornwell, Bush’s attorney, told Yahoo on Wednesday.
According to Yahoo.com, nearly $280,000 in cash, rent and gifts was allegedly given to Bush and his family.
If Bush is found to have violated NCAA rules, USC, which won a national title in ’04 and played for the ’05 championship, could be sanctioned.
Also, the Heisman Trophy Trust requires players be in good standing with the NCAA to be eligible for the award given to college football’s top player. If Bush is ruled ineligible by the NCAA, he could be in danger of having his Heisman taken away.