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Felony probe Saints WR Connell investigated for allegedly stealingPosted: Thursday December 20, 2001 11:07 AM
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- New Orleans Saints wide receiver Albert Connell was suspended by the team for allegedly stealing money from teammate Deuce McAllister, a football source said Wednesday. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Department said Tuesday it was investigating Connell but did not say why. He has not been charged. Connell, who signed a $14 million contract last spring, was suspended Monday by the Saints for the rest of the season and fined an additional paycheck "for conduct detrimental to the team." The Saints would not give a reason. But the source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Saints began an internal investigation of Connell after McAllister found money missing and reported it to the team. Connell's agent, Peter Schaffer, refused to describe what caused the suspension except to say that it was "the typical kind of thing a veteran would do to a rookie."
ESPN.com first reported the theft allegation against Connell, and the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported Wednesday it involved at least $300 -- enough to make it a felony. The Saints apparently have video surveillance to support their allegation, according to ESPN. The Saints do not expect Connell to return to the team. "It doesn't surprise me that they're investigating," Schaffer said. "In these type of public situations the authorities feel obliged to investigate. I think they'll find it was just a prank." He added that Connell would cooperate with the investigation and did not believe any charges would be filed. "I don't know if it was a prank or what," Saints defensive lineman Norman Hand said Wednesday. "We're staying out of it and letting Coach and them handle it." Hand said there was no tension on the team or problems in the locker room. "I still leave my stuff out in the open," Hand said. "I'm not worried about anything happening to it." Each locker in the Saints' dressing room has a small safe with a combination lock. Few players use them. Connell has not spoken to reporters since he was suspended. "I think his primary concern right now is that he doesn't want a bad light cast on the Saints," Schaffer said. "He has a great deal of respect for the organization. He would like to remain a part of the Saints. He certainly would never do anything to hurt them." Connell signed a five-year, $14 million contract in March and was paid $1.5 million of his $2.5 million bonus at the time. The remaining $1 million was to be paid in three installments in 2002. The suspension puts those payments in jeopardy. Connell was fined $29,411, or 1/17th of his $500,000 base salary. The suspension will cost Connell $117,647 in salary, bringing the total money he'll forfeit to $147,058.
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