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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Green To Be Investigated

Compiled From Wire Services

An NFL official declined comment on allegations of sexual harassment involving Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green and assistant coach Richard Solomon.

Greg Aiello, the league’s director of communications, told The Associated Press in Miami that the league’s only reaction was, “We have no comment.”

Aiello emphatically denied making a comment attributed to him Sunday by the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. The newspaper had quoted him as saying, “Certainly there will be interest in it and a follow-up in some way.”

Solomon and Green were named in a 1993 affidavit that surfaced in newspaper reports over the weekend. In the affidavit, former Vikings employee Dan Endy III alleged that the two coaches engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior toward a number of women who either worked for the team or companies doing business with the team.

The Star and Tribune of Minneapolis reported in a copyright story Sunday that the Vikings paid $150,000 to settle a sexual harassment claim involving Solomon by a woman who formerly worked for the team. The newspaper cited two unnamed members of the team’s board of directors. The settlement included a confidentiality agreement, it said.

Mike Shanahan, offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, may become the Denver Broncos’ new head coach as early as today, according to the Denver Post. Broncos owner Pat Bowlen is expected to meet then with Shanahan to negotiate a final agreement.

A formal announcement of Shanahan’s appointment was expected Tuesday, the newspaper said.

Shanahan is expected to sign a five-year contract worth an estimated $6 million, the newspaper said.