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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Under Fire, USC Drops Ball in Sports Perks Probe

NCAA expands Bush, Mayo investigation; school takes little action

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(Newser) – Years after footballer Reggie Bush was accused of accepting gifts from marketers while at USC, the university is still doing almost nothing to investigate the matter, despite the spread of allegations to a top basketball player and coach, the Los Angeles Times reports. Though the NCAA has expanded its own probe—with potentially dire consequences for USC—school officials haven't spoken to a single key figure in the cases.

Those include some of the men who accused Bush and basketball player OJ Mayo of accepting cash and lavish gifts in flagrant violation of NCAA rules. “It did seem kind of bizarre that they didn't seek to speak to my client directly," said a lawyer for one of the accusers. "As far as I know, there has not been a single phone call."

USC basketball player O.J. Mayo speaks to reporters as coach Tim Floyd listens. A former associate of Mayo, who is now in the NBA, said that Floyd paid to help get Mayo to play for the Trojans.
USC basketball player O.J. Mayo speaks to reporters as coach Tim Floyd listens. A former associate of Mayo, who is now in the NBA, said that Floyd paid to help get Mayo to play for the Trojans.   (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)
Southern California running back Reggie Bush (5) pushes quarterback Matt Leinhart (11) into the end zone for a final victory over Notre Dame, Oct. 15 2005 in South Bend, Ind.
Southern California running back Reggie Bush (5) pushes quarterback Matt Leinhart (11) into the end zone for a final victory over Notre Dame, Oct. 15 2005 in South Bend, Ind.   (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)
New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush rests last year during an NFL football game. Bush was accused of accepting cash and free gifts when he played for USC in violation of NCAA rules.
New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush rests last year during an NFL football game. Bush was accused of accepting cash and free gifts when he played for USC in violation of NCAA rules.   (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
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Derni
May 31, 09 9:57 AM CDT
The Ncaa is a bit better than major league sports where basically all drugs that enhance performance are ok-unless we catch 1 or 2 and make an example out of you. We have corruption built into the system since its biologically built into our brains-networking to make sure our needs are taken care of-food-reproduction. Reply
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