Legal - Baseball Wiretap
Dodgers Met Payroll Thanks To Cash Advances
Dodgers owner Frank McCourt was able to meet the team's payroll Tuesday with cash advances drawn on the team's corporate sponsorship deals, according to three sources.
Since McCourt has been unable to secure traditional loans to fund the cash-strapped Dodgers, front office executives in charge of revenue were charged with finding more creative ways to help float the troubled franchise for two more weeks.
Miguel Cabrera Gets License Back
Officials in Florida have returned Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera's driver's license, but he still faces DUI charges.
The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department determined Friday there wasn't enough evidence to prove Cabrera had been driving or was in actual control of his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol when he was arrested Feb. 16 in Fort Pierce.
The decision has no bearing on Cabrera's DUI case. If he's convicted of DUI, he could still have his license revoked.
MLB Meets With Puerto Rican Authorties About Livan Hernandez
Major League Baseball officials met with Puerto Rican authorities last week to discuss the federal investigation into Livan Hernandez's alleged money laundering activities.
The meeting took place May 18 at the district attorney offices in Puerto Rico and lasted less than an hour.
On April 26, a U.S. Attorney in Puerto Rico announced that federal authorities are investigating Hernandez's potential connection to convicted Puerto Rican kingpin Angel Manuel Ayala-Vazquez.
During Vazquez's trial, a convicted drug trafficker testified that Hernandez helped Vazquez launder money.
Frank, Jamie McCourt Talking Settlement
Settlement talks resumed Thursday in the divorce case of Jamie and Frank McCourt involving ownership of the Dodgers after a judge ruled their postnuptial marital agreement was invalid.
Both McCourts were in court to meet with Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon, who has presided over their divorce proceedings.
Attorneys on both sides met with Gordon separately and declined comment as they left the courthouse. They were scheduled to return for talks June 8.
Lowe Has DUI Charge Dismissed
DUI and reckless driving charges have been dismissed against Braves pitcher Derek Lowe, according to an ESPN.com report.
One of Lowe's attorneys, Cory Yager, said Thursday that solicitor Raines Carter, the chief prosecutor in Atlanta Municipal Court, agreed to dismiss the charges for lack of evidence.
Mets Select Einhorn As Preferred Partner
The Mets today announced that David Einhorn has been selected as the team's preferred partner and that the Mets and Mr. Einhorn have entered into exclusive negotiations with respect to a minority, non-operating investment in the team. The $200M personal investment by Mr. Einhorn is subject to the negotiation of a mutually acceptable definitive agreement for the transaction, as well as required approvals by MLB. The parties expect to enter into definitive agreements by late June.
"We are very excited about David joining our ownership group for several reasons," said Fred Wilpon, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, New York Mets. "David's investment immediately improves the franchise's financial position. Equally important, David's intelligence, integrity and success in both business and civic affairs provides us with another perspective in evaluating what is best for this organization and our fans, and we welcome his input. In partnership with David, we look forward to achieving our ultimate goal of again becoming World Series champions."
Mr. Einhorn stated, "Having an opportunity to become part of the Mets franchise is exciting beyond my wildest childhood dreams. I spent my first seven years living in New Jersey and rooting for the Mets. In 1975, I even dressed in a homemade jersey as a Met for Halloween. I have been a baseball fan for my entire life and have enjoyed teaching the game as the coach of my daughter's little league team. I look forward to partnering with the Wilpon and Katz families through the good seasons, the tough seasons and especially the championship seasons."
Fans Dies After Fall At Coors Field
Authorities say a 27-year-old man has died after he fell while sliding down a stair railing at the Rockies’ stadium in Denver, according to an Associated Press report.
The Denver coroner’s office identified the man Thursday as Robert Seamans of Pueblo.
Police spokesman Sonny Jackson says the man fell about 20 feet onto concrete during the seventh inning of a game at Coors Field on Monday.
Cabrera Seeking Return Of Driver's License
Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera will find out next week if he will get his driver's license back.
Cabrera's license was suspended because he refused to take a breath test when he was arrested late Feb. 16 on a rural highway in Florida.
He has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and resisting an officer without violence, both misdemeanors.
Man Injured In 20-Foot Fall At Coors Field
Police say a 27-year-old man was critically injured when he fell from a stairwell leading to the center field seats at Coors Field during the opener of a doubleheader Tuesday.
Police spokesman Sonny Jackson said the man was hospitalized in critical condition following a fall of approximately 20 feet onto concrete during the seventh inning just after 4 p.m. MT.
Family Of Beaten Giants Fan Suing Dodgers
The family of Giants fan Bryan Stow, who was brutally beaten in the parking lot at Dodger Stadium on Opening Day, filed a civil suit against the Dodgers in Los Angeles Superior Court Tuesday morning, according to an ESPN.com report.
The suit seeks unspecified damages to cover Stow's future medical care and as compensation for the economic damages to Stow and his two children. It alleges that Stow was "inappropriately exposed to the aggressive acts of third parties" because the Dodgers "failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack on Stow."
Mets 'Bleeding Cash,' Could Lose $70M
Fred Wilpon fears losing the Mets if the trustee for victims of Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme wins a $1 billion lawsuit against the team.
Suspect Held In Fan Beating
Police have detained a suspect in the attack on a Giants fan after Opening Day at Dodger Stadium.
Madoff Trustee: Mets Hold $300M In 'Stolen Money'
Mets ownership has sought the dismissal of the lawsuit Irving Picard filed against them last December, citing what they say is misrepresentation of facts.
Police: Kendrick's World Series Ring Recovered
Authorities in Washington have recovered a stolen World Series ring in a swamp, belonging to Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick.
Jamie McCourt Wants Dodgers Sale?
Jamie McCourt is likely to request that a LA Superior Court judge put the Dodgers up for sale immediately.
Police Focusing On Woman In Fan Beating
The police have received over 500 tips from the public, but no arrests have been made nearly seven weeks after the brutal attack.
McLane: Astros Have Deal With Crane
Drayton McLane hopes to be able to sign a sales-purchase agreement with Jim Crane by the middle of next week.
Man Charged With Stealing Gear From Fenway Park
A man was surprisingly charged in New York with stealing items from Fenway Park in Boston.
Former Clubhouse Manager Indicted In Queens
Charlie Samuels criminally possessed more than $2 million worth of game-used memorabilia from New York's clubhouse.
Selig: LA Needs Watching, Mets OK
Commissioner Bud Selig said MLB is tracking the Dodgers financial situation closely.
Steinbrenner Blamed Bad Legal Advice For Conviction
Former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner blamed an illegal corporate campaign contribution on bad legal advice.
Report: MLB Wants More Access To Dodgers' Finances
MLB wants more complete access on the Dodgers' finances.
Choo Charged With DUI; Apologizes Publicly
Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo was charged with drunken driving on Monday.
Mets To Sell Minority Stake This Month
Nothing is imminent, but a minority stake in the Mets will likely be sold by the end of May.
Astros Only Negotiating With Jim Crane
Jim Crane failed in an attempt to purchase the Rangers last year.