St. Johns in REAL Trouble?
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2004 8:44 pmSUSPENDED ST. JOHN'S PLAYER SAYS HE WAS PAID
BY FRANK ELTMAN
Associated Press
Mar. 3, 2004 4:51 p.m.
MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — A suspended St. John's basketball player contended Wednesday he got $300 almost every month from a member of the team staff.
In a statement read to reporters by one of his attorneys, Abraham Keita also said he is filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against the university.
"He firmly believes he was the unworthy recipient of racially disparate disciplinary treatment," attorney Steven Spielvogel said.
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Keita, who is black, attended the news conference but did not speak. Spielvogel and two colleagues also declined to answer questions after reading the statement.
A St. John's spokesman did not immediately return calls for comment.
Keita was suspended last month after he and several other players were caught breaking curfew by visiting a strip club near Pittsburgh. A woman told police she was raped by players she met at the club, but no criminal charges were filed.
The woman was later charged with prostitution, attempted extortion and filing fictitious reports.
Keita, a senior center from West Africa, was aware the payments violated NCAA rules. But his lawyers indicated that because he came from an impoverished background, he was "extraordinarily vulnerable and susceptible to accepting NCAA-prohibited cash from the university."
Spielvogel also contended that Keita took and passed two lie detector tests supporting his claims. Keita's statement did not identify his benefactor, but said the payments began during his first year at St. John's in 1999.
The program is nearing the end of one of its worst seasons. In December, senior guard Willie Shaw was dismissed from the team after he was arrested on marijuana charges with former Red Storm star Marcus Hatten. On Dec. 19, Mike Jarvis was fired six games into his sixth season, becoming the first coach in Big East history to be dismissed during a season.
Interim coach Kevin Clark is not expected to return to the team, which is 6-19.
Spielvogel said his client has contacted the NCAA about his allegations. An NCAA spokesman had no immediate comment.
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BY FRANK ELTMAN
Associated Press
Mar. 3, 2004 4:51 p.m.
MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — A suspended St. John's basketball player contended Wednesday he got $300 almost every month from a member of the team staff.
In a statement read to reporters by one of his attorneys, Abraham Keita also said he is filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against the university.
"He firmly believes he was the unworthy recipient of racially disparate disciplinary treatment," attorney Steven Spielvogel said.
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Draft & Trade Baseball
Compete for $125 in league prizes. Join a roto or points league and utilize the best fantasy info.
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Fantasy Source Baseball
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Keita, who is black, attended the news conference but did not speak. Spielvogel and two colleagues also declined to answer questions after reading the statement.
A St. John's spokesman did not immediately return calls for comment.
Keita was suspended last month after he and several other players were caught breaking curfew by visiting a strip club near Pittsburgh. A woman told police she was raped by players she met at the club, but no criminal charges were filed.
The woman was later charged with prostitution, attempted extortion and filing fictitious reports.
Keita, a senior center from West Africa, was aware the payments violated NCAA rules. But his lawyers indicated that because he came from an impoverished background, he was "extraordinarily vulnerable and susceptible to accepting NCAA-prohibited cash from the university."
Spielvogel also contended that Keita took and passed two lie detector tests supporting his claims. Keita's statement did not identify his benefactor, but said the payments began during his first year at St. John's in 1999.
The program is nearing the end of one of its worst seasons. In December, senior guard Willie Shaw was dismissed from the team after he was arrested on marijuana charges with former Red Storm star Marcus Hatten. On Dec. 19, Mike Jarvis was fired six games into his sixth season, becoming the first coach in Big East history to be dismissed during a season.
Interim coach Kevin Clark is not expected to return to the team, which is 6-19.
Spielvogel said his client has contacted the NCAA about his allegations. An NCAA spokesman had no immediate comment.
© 2003 FOX Interactive Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Feedback | News Corp. | FOX News | FOX.com | FX | Advertising
