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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Albert Speaks Out About Sex Charges

Associated Press

Sportscaster Marv Albert criticized Virginia authorities on Thursday for a “lack of due process” in bringing sex and assault charges against him, and he again proclaimed his innocence.

He intends to work Saturday’s NBA playoff game between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat.

Albert, in his customary deep, raspy voice, read a brief statement during a news conference at a Manhattan hotel. The veteran NBC announcer took no questions and left immediately after his statement.

“In light of the substance and source of the allegations that have surfaced in the last 48 hours, I would like to reassert my innocence and reiterate that all the charges against me are false and will be proven false in a court of law,” Albert said.

Albert, 53, was indicted Monday on charges of forcible sodomy and assault. A 41-year-old woman who said she And Washington television station WRC-TV reported Thursday that the woman also was the subject of a complaint last September to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, in which a female co-worker at the Washington Hilton hotel alleged the woman physically harassed her.

Albert complained that neither police nor prosecutors spoke to him before the indictment was made public Tuesday. Local officials in Virginia have said Albert did not return their phone calls.

Gerard Treanor, a Washington lawyer representing Albert, said his client would enter a plea of innocent at his Circuit Court arraignment in Arlington, scheduled for Tuesday. He said he would ask that Albert be released on his own recognizance pending a trial.

Like Albert, Treanor declined to take questions.

In 20 years of practice, the lawyer said, “I have never seen charges brought in the manner in which these charges have been brought against my client.

“He was never interviewed. No lawyer was ever requested to be interviewed. And indeed, the grand jury never heard from him, nor did the grand jury ever hear from the complaining witness.

“There was never a judgment by any judge that there existed probable cause in this case and there has been no effort to determine the credibility of the complainant,” the lawyer said.

Albert said, “Had I spoken to the grand jurors I would have told them what I am telling you now and that is I am innocent.”

NBC announced Thursday that Albert will work Saturday’s New York-Miami game as planned.