FBI checks out UCLA
Players questioned, cleared in point-shaving probe
Posted: Thursday March 11, 1999 08:52 PM
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Former Bruin QB Cade McNown passed an FBI polygraph test, according to the Times. AP |
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- An FBI investigation into an alleged mobster's ties to UCLA football players failed to uncover any evidence of wrongdoing, agents and school officials said Thursday.
"The FBI has told me we have nothing to be concerned about ... that it has no concerns regarding the conduct of UCLA or any of its student athletes," athletic director Peter Dalis said.
The FBI began a sports-betting probe after the Bruins, with a 10-0 record and strong contenders for the national title, lost to Miami and Wisconsin to close out last season.
The Pacific-10 champs were ranked as high as No. 2 nationally and went to the Rose Bowl.
Timothy P. McNally, FBI assistant director in Los Angeles, said late Thursday that the investigation was complete and there was no evidence of any wrongdoing by any members of the football team.
The FBI investigation began after UCLA players were seen with Dominic Montemarano, a 60-year-old ex-convict also known as "Donny Shacks" who was sent to prison in 1987 on federal racketeering charges.
"It's my understanding he may have been under their regular surveillance," Dalis said. FBI spokesman Ray Escudero said he couldn't comment.
The NCAA, based in Overland Park, Kans., said the investigation had nothing to do with point shaving.
"We're comfortable that that is not the issue. The issue is more who they have associated with. There's no point shaving," said Bill Saum, the NCAA's director of gambling and agents.
"I think the key thing is there was nothing found, nothing illegal. Nothing has happened that is wrong here," UCLA football coach Bob Toledo said. "They associated with a guy the FBI's concerned with but they did nothing wrong."
The FBI has photographs of four or five UCLA players socializing with the target of the investigation, Dalis said.
"My understanding was they had attended some social events into his home for 'Monday Night Football' on several occasions. My understanding is they had no understanding of this guy's background," Dalis said.
Star quarterback Cade McNown was one of the players questioned.
McNown said in a statement that he voluntarily underwent a polygraph test, passed it and was told "there would be no further inquiry necessary."
McNown, expected to be a first-round selection in next month's NFL Draft, left the university after the Rose Bowl to focus on preparing for his professional career.
Toledo said he hasn't talked to McNown since taking him to the FBI office on Feb. 27.
"Cade McNown is a squeaky-clean boy. Cade McNown is a fierce competitor, as good a kid as you'd ever meet," the coach said. "I think they probably met this guy, someone introduced them, they thought he was a nice guy.
"I've hung around with some older people too."
UCLA won its first 10 games before losing at Miami 49-45 on Dec. 5. The Bruins then lost to Wisconsin 38-31 in the Rose Bowl game on New Year's Day.
Initial reports of a federal points shaving probe hit the UCLA campus like a storm.
"It's a farce," UCLA linebacker Ali Abdul-Aziz said. "We would never do that to ourselves."
"I don't know whether they shaved points or not, but this is definitely a black mark on the football program and the school and all of us," said R.K. Crane, a 24-year-old UCLA junior political science major.
Dalis said the FBI expects to complete its investigation Friday after conducting one more interview -- "Not a player," he said.
Records show Montemarano has a home in Century City, but there was no telephone listing.
"This person is not a representative of our interests, has never been left tickets," Dalis said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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