Lawyer says Gretzky won’t face charges
Wayne Gretzky will not face criminal charges in connection with a multimillion-dollar sports betting ring busted in New Jersey last week, and he is unlikely to be called to testify against others in the case, his lawyer said Thursday.
Attorney Ron Fujikawa said he received assurances from New Jersey authorities last week that the hockey great was not in any way a central figure in the criminal investigation. That’s not surprising, Fujikawa said, because Gretzky did nothing illegal.
“He is not a person of interest,” Fujikawa said. “We have received no indication he is somebody who will be called before a grand jury. We have received assurances that he is at most a fact witness.”
Gretzky’s wife, Janet Jones, also is unlikely to face criminal charges in the case, her lawyer said.
High school basketball
Chief Sealth cleared
All of the girls on the Chief Sealth basketball team live in the district and the team can play in a postseason tournament, an investigation by the Seattle Public Schools has concluded.
Had the district found that current players lived outside the district, the team would have had to forfeit its playoff spot.
The investigation was prompted by a report Wednesday in The Seattle Times that alleged the team’s coaches had recruited girls from outside the district and offered them a variety of perks – all violations of league rules.
Football
Culpepper nixes rumors
Daunte Culpepper wanted to make sure there was no misinterpretation: He’s concerned with getting healthy, not speculation about his future with the Minnesota Vikings.
Culpepper, unless he’s told otherwise by owner Zygi Wilf, plans to play for the Vikings this fall.
The quarterback didn’t respond specifically to a report that the team is considering trading him because of his recent requests for more money.
“Until I hear different from Mr. Wilf or the new ‘triangle of authority’ at the Vikings, I plan on playing quarterback for Minnesota. Trying to delve into speculation, innuendo, rumor or anything else of this nature would be a waste of energy.”
“ Ernie Stautner, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman for Pittsburgh and longtime Dallas defensive coordinator, died Thursday in Carbondale, Colo., his wife said. He was 80.
“ Coach Marvin Lewis got a two-year extension for leading the Cincinnati Bengals to their first playoff appearance in 15 years, putting him under contract until 2010.
Golf
Wilson, Rose lead
Dean Wilson and Justin Rose both shot 7-under-pars 64s, putting them atop the leaderboard at The Nissan Open in Los Angeles. They were two shots clear of the field.
Tiger Woods shot a 69, and Pullman native Kirk Triplett fired a 72.
“ Grace Park shot a bogey-free 6-under 66 to take the clubhouse lead in the suspended first round of the LPGA Tour’s season-opening SBS Open. Becky Iverson was 6 under through 15 holes when play was halted because of darkness. Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., opened with a 71 and Tracy Hanson of Rathdrum shot a 73.