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 Saturday, November 6
Bribery now at issue in agent probe
 
Associated Press

 BATON ROUGE, La. -- A man claiming to be an NFL agent's representative offered an LSU assistant coach $30,000 or "whatever it takes" for help signing former Tigers defense star Anthony McFarland before last spring's draft, authorities said.

Randall Menard was arrested Wednesday in Baton Rouge and booked with bribery for his alleged effort to sign McFarland, a nose guard who went on to become the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' No. 1 draft pick, said LSU police Capt. Ricky Adams.

Menard implied that he was representing William "Tank" Black, a prominent sports agent from Columbia, S.C., according to a police affidavit filed in connection with his arrest.

Menard, 34, of Breaux Bridge, was also accused of offering $10,000 to an LSU academic counselor to help convince Mark Roman, a standout LSU defensive back, to forgo his senior year and turn professional, the affidavit said.

Roman and LSU starting safety Clarence LeBlanc also acknowledged discussions with Menard, the affidavit said.

Florida police last week filed a sworn complaint against Black, accusing him and an employee of violating that state's agent law by illegally recruiting Florida Gators. When contacted after that complaint was filed, a spokesman for Black said he is innocent. A telephone message left on Black's voice mail at Professional Management Inc. in Columbia, S.C., was not immediately returned.

Black was not charged in Louisiana, but Adams said the case is still under investigation.

Roman was declared ineligible to play for LSU Oct. 21 while the school looked into allegations of innapropriate contact with a sports agent. LeBlanc was declared ineligble Wednesday after police announced Menard's arrest.

In addition to the two counts of bribery, Menard was booked with acting as an unlicensed or unregistered agent and with illegal contact with athletes during their college eligibility. He was released after posting a $10,000 bond.

Menard's lawyer, Lewis Unglesby, said he did not believe Menard worked for Black. Ungelsby also said Menard will be cleared.

"When the truth comes out, he will be vindicated," Unglesby said, declining to offer specifics.

In an interview with a detective, LSU offensive backfield coach Mike Haywood said Menard asked for help signing McFarland during a private meeting at the college's athletic administration building on Jan. 6, the affidavit said.

Menard said, "We are willing to do whatever it takes for you to get Anthony to sign with us, name the price, we will pay whatever it takes, ten, twenty, $30,000," the affidavit said.

Haywood told police he rejected the offer.

Academic counselor Verge Ausberry told police he met with Menard last Dec. 15, and was offered $10,000 to convince Roman to forgo his senior year, turn professional and "help him come our way," the affidavit said. Ausberry also said he rejected the offer.

Roman told police he first met Menard in 1997 or 1998. After deciding last year to return to LSU for his senior year, Roman said he was offered whatever he needed by Menard, the affidavit said.

"Roman advised that his understanding with Menard was that if Menard took care of his family, then Menard or his company would have a chance of signing him," the affidavit said.

And LeBlanc told investigators he was approached by Menard during spring practice with offers of help. LeBlanc said he asked for a car but never received one, according to the affidavit.

"LeBlanc advised that his understanding with Menard was that if he bought the car for him, Menard expected LeBlanc to sign with his company," the affidavit said.

The LSU investigation started after University of Florida police contacted LSU police with information they obtained during their investigation of Black, Adams said.

"They shared information with us that was obtained in a search warrant that there may be problems here at LSU," Adams said.

McFarland eventually chose Karl Bernard of New Orleans as his agent.

LSU athletic director Joe Dean said he did not expect more football players would be disciplined.

"We are honoring our commitment to run a clean program and to keep sports agents away from our athletes," he said. "We do not anticipate any further action against other athletes, but we will take action if necessary."

 


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