Probe snapshot
LOUISVILLE
WHO’S ACCUSED Forward Brian Bowen and the basketball program for lack of oversight.
WHY James Gatto, director of global sports marketing for basketball at Adidas, is among those accused of funneling $100,000 to the family of a high school athlete to gain his commitment to play at Louisville and to sign with Adidas once he became a professional. The player’s name was not released, but details in the criminal complaint make it clear investigators were referring to Bowen. FALLOUT Louisville has placed Coach Rick Pitino and Athletic Director Tom Jurich on administrative leave. Jurich is on paid leave, while Pitino is on unpaid leave. The coach’s attorney, Steve Spence, told the Courier-Journal on Wednesday that Louisville has “effectively fired” Pitino.
NEXT STEPS Louisville waits. The scandal could cost the school its 2013 national championship. The program already is on probation because of a scandal involving escorts hired for players and recruits.
AUBURN
WHO’S ACCUSED Assistant coach Chuck Person.
WHY Federal prosecutors say the former NBA player accepted about $91,500 in bribes to steer clients to Pittsburgh-based financial adviser Martin Blazer when they reached the NBA.
FALLOUT Person has been suspended without pay. Coach Bruce Pearl, who has had issues before, is under scrutiny again.
NEXT STEPS Auburn has hired a Birmingham law firm to conduct a review of the basketball program. Person is slated to appear in court in New York’s Southern District on Oct. 10.
ARIZONA
WHO’S ACCUSED Assistant coach Emanuel Richardson.
WHY Court documents say Richardson allegedly accepted $20,000 in bribes and used money to influence at least one unidentified basketball player to commit to play for Arizona.
FALLOUT Richardson has been suspended and relieved of all duties.
NEXT STEPS The Department of Justice is investigating.
OKLAHOMA STATE
WHO’S ACCUSED Assistant coach Lamont Evans.
WHY He allegedly took bribes to influence star athletes to go to certain agents. According to FBI papers, he expected $2,000 a month for his services. He said it was necessary to use his influence over the youngsters early in their college careers because many of them are “one and done.” meaning they play one year of college ball before joining the NBA, according to court papers.
FALLOUT Evans has been suspended. New Coach Mike Boynton goes into his first season without his top assistant. NEXT STEPS Evans is to appear in court in New York’s Southern District on Oct. 10.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
WHO’S ACCUSED Assistant coach Tony Bland.
WHY According to the Orange County Register, Bland allegedly received bribes to steer players to agents and facilitated payments of $9,000 to the families of two unidentified Trojans players. Bland also is accused of accepting $13,000 during a meeting July 29 in Las Vegas with Christian Dawkins, a former agent with ASM Sports.
FALLOUT Bland has been placed on administrative leave.
NEXT STEPS USC said it appointed former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh to conduct an internal investigation.
ALABAMA
WHO’S ACCUSED Basketball administrator Kobie Baker.
WHY Athletic Director Greg Byrne said in a statement that there was an internal review of the basketball program resulting from a wave of arrests in the federal bribery probe, and Baker has resigned. FALLOUT It may be limited. Byrne said the review has not identified any NCAA or SEC rules violations, nor the involvement of any other coach or staff member. NEXT STEPS Byrne said the school will continue to be proactive in its compliance efforts.