The OJ Mayo Thread

[Slam]

And the Mayo slide to #9 starts


http://myespn.go.com/nba/truehoop

Link from TrueHoop leads to...

Attorney says IRS, U.S. Attorney's office launch investigation

Special agents for the FBI and IRS and members of U.S. Attorney's office have launched a joint investigation into "possible income tax evasion and fraud arising from the misuse of charitable organization funds," according to an attorney retained by Louis Johnson, a member of former USC guard O.J. Mayo's inner circle until three months ago.

Anthony Salerno, Johnson's Los Angeles-based attorney, said the scope of the various agencies' investigation is still unclear.

Johnson retained Salerno shortly after "Outside the Lines" reported on May 11 that Mayo -- a projected lottery pick in the June 26 NBA draft -- received thousands of dollars in cash, clothing and other benefits while he was playing in high school and for USC this past season, possibly in violation of NCAA rules.

The NCAA, Pac-10 and the National Basketball Players Association are investigating the allegations made by Johnson.

When asked who the agencies intended to interview for their investigation, Salerno said "the parties previously identified by ESPN in its reporting and also additional parties that haven't been disclosed, but I don't feel comfortable revealing [their names] at the moment out of respect for the confidentiality of the investigation."..."


"...Johnson told ESPN that Mayo accepted close to $30,000 in cash and gifts, before he attended USC, from his advisor, Rodney Guillory, a 43-year-old former Southern California high school basketball tournament promoter. Johnson alleged that BDA Sports Management -- a sports agency based in California -- gave Guillory "anywhere between $200,000-$250,000 in cash and other benefits" to maintain his close relationship with Mayo while Mayo was in high school, with the expectation that the player would sign with BDA when he turned pro. On April 17, Mayo announced he was entering the NBA draft and had signed Calvin Andrews, BDA's senior vice president, to represent him. Andrews and Bill Duffy, BDA's chairman and CEO, were unavailable for comment Tuesday. Mayo and BDA have since parted ways in the wake of ESPN's original report.

In the summer of 2007, Guillory obtained another means of providing benefits to Mayo, according to Johnson. He said Tony Hicks, a convicted felon (who also uses the alias "Amonra Elohim," according to federal court records), is a longtime friend of Guillory's. Since 2000, according to California Secretary of State records, Hicks (or Elohim) has been the registered CEO of a nonprofit, "The National Organization of Sickle Cell Prevention and Awareness Foundation."

Johnson said Hicks (or Elohim) had an American Express card in the charity's name, and Hicks added Guillory to the account and provided him a card to use last summer. Johnson said Guillory used that card to purchase, among other things, a hotel room in Hermosa Beach for Mayo and a girlfriend to stay in, as well as thousands of dollars of clothing for Mayo at a California clothing store called Men's Land, a 42-inch flat-screen television for Mayo's dorm room and meals at various restaurants in the Los Angeles area. Johnson provided "Outside the Lines" with receipts from the purchases...."

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3424753

The short version - OJ Mayo was given thousands of dollars worth of clothes a flat screen TV, etc. with money that was supposed to have been donations to a Sickle Cell Anemia charity.

[ohara831]

If it is gifts he accepted at that value, then he could in fact be charged. And it makes no difference how wealthy you are, what religion you are, or the color of your skin. If you try andcheat the Feds out of their Tax $, those bastards will fry you in a heartbeat.

You know, it really is tough on those kids. Heck, they're just teenagers, and they have people wanting to buy them stuff, give them $, etc.. They really need good people around them to keep them on the straight and narrow. If I was that young and talented, and did not have much $, and someone was wanting to give me all that stuff, I cant say that I wouldn't touch it. I likly would jump on it.

I hope he gets this worked out. Cooperate with the Feds, tell them you did not know it was improper to get gifts from people you knew as your "friends", and move on. And for Pete's sake, tell them the TRUTH! Hey, they threw Martha Stewart in jail for several months for a little insider trading and lying to the Feds. OJ, they already dont like your first name (not your fault), and they will not hesitate on throwing you in jail for a year, too. Cooperate and move on. The NBA and #9 picking Charlotte Bobcats await!

[Slam]

And with every day, maybe he slides a little closer to us?

Mayo has reportedly yet to schedule even a single workout, and will probably do so after he officially hires his new agent. We’ve been told by several sources that Mayo may try to pull a Yi Jianlian and only work out for Chicago, Miami, New York and Los Angeles, while shunning the smaller market teams such as Minnesota, Seattle and Memphis. Things could certainly change as the draft develops over the next few weeks.

[ohara831]

I sure hope he doesn't try to pull a Yi, especially if he tries to shun Charlotte. If he did, then if the Feds go after him, I'd be the first one laughing. But I will give him the benefit of the doubt unless and until that happens.

[Icky Thump]

I sure hope he doesn't try to pull a Yi, especially if he tries to shun Charlotte. If he did, then if the Feds go after him, I'd be the first one laughing. But I will give him the benefit of the doubt unless and until that happens.

Or even worse if he tried to pull a Kobe? *Shudders*

[Keetch]

There's a vid of O.J. talking to the media after his workout with the Knicks. I was a little amazed by it.

http://iptv.nyknicks.com/nyknicks/console

First off, do you see how he looks each reporter right in the eye? Right .. in .. the .. eye. How many Bobcats interviews have you seen where Stephanie Ready is talking to a player who won't even look at her?

Then Mayo's oh gosh, "yes Sir" replies that followed...wow. I don't know how sincere this is, I kind of doubt it is, but he's showing that he's an intelligent guy for sure. Considering the likes of Starbury and Stevie Franchise, Mayo looks like gold. Has he seen that the path to fortune is not in showing it off, but in bowing before it? We'll see how the road unwinds....

Watching this play out, there's no way O.J. Mayo slips past #3. I'm believing there will be a trade where either the Heat or Knicks grab him up.

[Dead_Real]

Mayo has a swagger about him on and off the court that will make him a star on the next level.

[spectre]

I so very much would love to grab this guy.

[ziggy]

What could we put together to move up to the Timberwolves #3 pick?

[Mustachio]

I dont see how NCAA violations will have him drop to number 9. It won't ever effect the guy. look at Reggie Bush... it really hurt his status huh.

Basically the only way we get this guy is if we sell the team to move up in the draft.

As far as Ive seen... OJ Mayo is a decent kid, with a lot of people trying to curb that. If i was 18 years old and someone wanted to give me TV's and cars... I'd take em in a second. He isnt a head case i dont think, but i also dont think we can draft him.