FBI Was Warned of OJ Heist Scheme

Dealer alerted feds to 'self-organized sting operation'
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 3, 2007 6:20 AM CDT
FBI Was Warned of OJ Heist Scheme
A fan wears a shirt refering to OJ Simpson's most recent run-in with the law. The AP reported yesterday that the FBI heard in August that Simpson was planning to retrieve sports memorabilia from a dealer.   (Getty Images (by Event))

Three weeks before he participated in OJ Simpson's ill-fated attempt to retrieve sports memorabilia the Juice said was stolen from him, Thomas Riccio told FBI agents that a "self-organized sting operation" was in the works, reports the AP. Riccio said the FBI brushed him off, not wanting to become "involved in another weird celebrity case."

According to the FBI, Riccio had not indicated that the planned confrontation would involve guns or that a crime would be committed. The agency did not bring Las Vegas police into the loop before the incident, but provided information after the fact. Riccio also contacted Los Angels police, but got the impression that "no one seemed to be concerned about it." (More OJ Simpson stories.)

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