Fired Coach Lied Eight Times, Investigation Report Claims

Fri., Nov. 15, 1996

Compiled From Wire Services

Jim Harrick lied to UCLA officials eight separate times during their investigation of a recruiting dinner, according to an internal report released by the school.

In addition, Harrick tried to get assistant coach Michael Holton to assist in a coverup, the report said.

The report was released Wednesday - a week after Harrick was fired and replaced on an interim basis by Steve Lavin. UCLA released the six-page report after media requests for it under the California Public Records Act.

Much of what was in the report was reported by chancellor Charles Young at the news conference called to announce Harrick’s firing.

The report revealed that the bill at Monty’s restaurant in Westwood was $1,085 for a party of 13.

UCLA determined Harrick violated NCAA rules by paying for dinner for Bruins players Charles O’Bannon and Cameron Dollar, who were not part of the official party and not entitled to a free meal.

Harrick did not mention O’Bannon or Dollar on the reimbursement request. Instead, he listed his wife, Sally, and Holton’s wife, LaShell, as attending.

Sally Harrick arrived late and did not eat, and LaShell Holton wasn’t there at all, the report said.

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Fired Coach Lied Eight Times, Investigation Report Claims

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

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