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'I haven't done it' Booster denies trying to influence Means' recruitment
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- An Alabama booster tied up in a football recruiting scandal says federal authorities have subpoenaed his financial records, but he contends the allegations against him cannot be proved. "I'll never be able to prove I didn't do it," businessman Logan Young said. "And they'll never be able to prove that I did it." But Young denied trying to wrongly influence linebacker Albert Means' decision to attend the University of Alabama. Means, whose recruitment is being investigated by a federal grand jury, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Southeastern Conference, is now at the University of Memphis. His two former high school coaches in Memphis are charged by the grand jury with conspiring to extort up to $200,000 in exchange for Means' football talents. One of those indicted has testified under oath that Young, 60, paid the money. "It hurts me to have people say every day in the paper what I've done. I haven't done it," Young told The Commercial Appeal of Memphis. But it is clear that Young is under scrutiny from the FBI and other federal officials. He said they have subpoenaed his banking, company and gambling records. A call to Young's answering service Wednesday was not returned. His lawyer, former Watergate prosecutor James Neal of Nashville, declined comment. "I have urged Logan not to say anything about this," Neal said. "The investigation will take its course." The Commercial Appeal began reporting on the scandal in January when it quoted former assistant high school coach Milton Kirk as saying he and his former boss, Lynn Lang of Trezevant High, sought money, cars and a house in exchange for directing Means' choice of a college. The grand jury indicted Lang and Kirk last week. The indictment also said co-conspirators, who were not named, took part in the deal. Lang was charged in a nine-count indictment with conspiracy, bribery and extortion. Kirk was charged with conspiracy. The charges say that between April 1999 and August 2000, Lang solicited payoffs from the universities of Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida State, Michigan State and Memphis. The indictment does not mention such an offer to Alabama, but Kirk testified to the Memphis Board of Education during a hearing last month that Young paid to have Means sign with the Crimson Tide. Means played for Alabama last season but transferred to Memphis after allegations of the alleged wheeling and dealing became public. He is not accused of wrongdoing and has been cleared by the NCAA to play for Memphis. Young said the allegations have "wrecked my life" and he's lost 25 pounds since they became public. But he said is not worried about criminal charges because that would require a money trail leading back to him. "I did not give Lynn Lang any money," Young said. In addition to Neal, Young has hired former NCAA investigator Joe Buffington and an investigative services firm in Washington and said he has spent up to $400,000 on legal fees in the past seven months. Young, a longtime Alabama supporter, said he does worry about losing standing with the school, though that "won't be the end of the world." "I'll still be an Alabama fan if I have to buy a ticket off the street to go to the game," he said. "I'll just sit in the stands and holler, 'Roll Tide.' "
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