<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=462 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Reggie Bush case takes another strange twist<!---- END STORY TITLE -------->
<!--startclickprintexclude--></TD></TR><TR><TD>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width=462 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top><!-- Copyright 2003-2002, Clickability, Inc. All rights reserved.-->
<!--ClickabilityRefresh=10m--><!--- SAFE:SafeMode ---><!-- NEW, REVISED BUSH STORY FOR SIGNON -->
By Brent Schrotenboer
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
5:48 p.m. February 12, 2008
<!-- BODYTEXT -->The ongoing Reggie Bush cash-and-benefits saga took another strange turn yesterday when a man with a gun showed up at the scheduled deposition of Lloyd Lake in downtown San Diego.
<!-- begin:sidebar --><!--startclickprintexclude--><TABLE cellPadding=5 width=220 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width="100%" bgColor=#dfdfdf border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
But Lake and his attorney saw things differently. Lake refused to give his deposition under such “intimidation,” so they left without giving testimony.
“He was sitting five feet behind and to the side of Lloyd, staring menacingly at Lloyd, with his arms folded and with his gun,” said Brian Watkins, Lake's attorney.
<!---------- BEGIN BIGBOXAD ----------><SCRIPT language=JavaScript src="/scripts/oas_x32.js"></SCRIPT><!---------- END BIGBOXAD ---------->Watkins said the man flashed the weapon at Lake shortly after he arrived to testify under oath about about giving Bush cash and benefits during Bush's football tenure at USC.
The deposition was part of a lawsuit Lake filed in October against Bush and his parents. It seeks repayment of $291,600 from Bush and his family for alleged cash, a vehicle and other goods. The NCAA continues to investigate the case to determine whether Bush or his family received improper benefits from Lake, a former Bush family friend, and Lake's former partner, Michael Michaels. Lake and Michaels have said they were starting a marketing company, along with Bush's stepfather, that would feature Bush as the primary client.
Cornwell previously has accused Lake of extortion in this case. He said he met with Watkins in January 2006, when he alleged Watkins advised him that Lake was a gang member he couldn't control if his demands weren't met. He also said Lake made a threat against Bush in December.
Watkins denied those allegations and said it was part of a “pattern of intimidation” by Cornwell to scare Lake off the case. Previously, Watkins said Cornwell noted to them he had friends in the FBI and threatened to call Lake's probation officer.
“We met with private security, and the unanimous conclusion was when we are in Lake's presence, we should take appropriate security precautions,” Cornwell said. Cornwell said they offered to have the security guard sit outside the conference room, but Lake ultimately refused.
Watkins said he has sent Bush a notice about taking his deposition Feb. 25. However, the state court said Bush has not yet been served his suit papers. If the New Orleans Saints running back does eventually give his deposition, Watkins has said he will turn over the transcript to the NCAA to help with its investigation.
If the NCAA determines Bush or his family accepted improper benefits, Bush could be declared retroactively ineligible, jeopardizing his 2005 Heisman Trophy and several USC victories in which he played.
The defendants in the suit also plan to take the depositions of Lake's mother and sister.
Bush previously has said he and his family have done nothing wrong and that the facts will come out eventually.
Asked if his clients had met with or planned to meet with NCAA officials about the case, Cornwell said, “You're going beyond the scope of what I'm prepared to talk about.” Michaels reached a settlement with Bush and his parents last year in which he received an undisclosed sum and agreed not to talk about the case. It's not known when Lake's deposition will be rescheduled and under what conditions.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!--startclickprintexclude--></TD></TR><TR><TD>
<SCRIPT language=javascript1.2 src="http://a449.g.akamai.net/7/449/1776/000/button.clickability.com/628/button_1/button.js"></SCRIPT>
<!--endclickprintexclude--><!--ClickabilityRefresh=10m--><!--- SAFE:SafeMode ---><!-- NEW, REVISED BUSH STORY FOR SIGNON -->
By Brent Schrotenboer
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
5:48 p.m. February 12, 2008
<!-- BODYTEXT -->The ongoing Reggie Bush cash-and-benefits saga took another strange turn yesterday when a man with a gun showed up at the scheduled deposition of Lloyd Lake in downtown San Diego.
<!-- begin:sidebar --><!--startclickprintexclude--><TABLE cellPadding=5 width=220 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width="100%" bgColor=#dfdfdf border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
- From U-T archives
<LI class=columntext><SIDEBAR>Lake: Bush selfish</SIDEBAR> <LI class=columntext><SIDEBAR>Bush suit will help NCAA in its probe</SIDEBAR> <LI class=columntext><SIDEBAR>Landlord settles with Bush's parents</SIDEBAR> <LI class=columntext><SIDEBAR>Lawyer: Bush's parents got cash</SIDEBAR> <LI class=columntext><SIDEBAR>Owner: Bush parents owe rent</SIDEBAR> - <SIDEBAR>Parents of Bush face questions about home</SIDEBAR>
But Lake and his attorney saw things differently. Lake refused to give his deposition under such “intimidation,” so they left without giving testimony.
“He was sitting five feet behind and to the side of Lloyd, staring menacingly at Lloyd, with his arms folded and with his gun,” said Brian Watkins, Lake's attorney.
<!---------- BEGIN BIGBOXAD ----------><SCRIPT language=JavaScript src="/scripts/oas_x32.js"></SCRIPT><!---------- END BIGBOXAD ---------->Watkins said the man flashed the weapon at Lake shortly after he arrived to testify under oath about about giving Bush cash and benefits during Bush's football tenure at USC.
The deposition was part of a lawsuit Lake filed in October against Bush and his parents. It seeks repayment of $291,600 from Bush and his family for alleged cash, a vehicle and other goods. The NCAA continues to investigate the case to determine whether Bush or his family received improper benefits from Lake, a former Bush family friend, and Lake's former partner, Michael Michaels. Lake and Michaels have said they were starting a marketing company, along with Bush's stepfather, that would feature Bush as the primary client.
Cornwell previously has accused Lake of extortion in this case. He said he met with Watkins in January 2006, when he alleged Watkins advised him that Lake was a gang member he couldn't control if his demands weren't met. He also said Lake made a threat against Bush in December.
Watkins denied those allegations and said it was part of a “pattern of intimidation” by Cornwell to scare Lake off the case. Previously, Watkins said Cornwell noted to them he had friends in the FBI and threatened to call Lake's probation officer.
“We met with private security, and the unanimous conclusion was when we are in Lake's presence, we should take appropriate security precautions,” Cornwell said. Cornwell said they offered to have the security guard sit outside the conference room, but Lake ultimately refused.
Watkins said he has sent Bush a notice about taking his deposition Feb. 25. However, the state court said Bush has not yet been served his suit papers. If the New Orleans Saints running back does eventually give his deposition, Watkins has said he will turn over the transcript to the NCAA to help with its investigation.
If the NCAA determines Bush or his family accepted improper benefits, Bush could be declared retroactively ineligible, jeopardizing his 2005 Heisman Trophy and several USC victories in which he played.
The defendants in the suit also plan to take the depositions of Lake's mother and sister.
Bush previously has said he and his family have done nothing wrong and that the facts will come out eventually.
Asked if his clients had met with or planned to meet with NCAA officials about the case, Cornwell said, “You're going beyond the scope of what I'm prepared to talk about.” Michaels reached a settlement with Bush and his parents last year in which he received an undisclosed sum and agreed not to talk about the case. It's not known when Lake's deposition will be rescheduled and under what conditions.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
