LOS ANGELES — A San Diego sports marketer claims in a new book that he gave former Southern California running back Reggie Bush nearly $300,000 in cash while Bush was still in college.
Based largely on interviews with Lloyd Lake, who tried to secure Bush as a client for the marketing company he attempted to launch, "Tarnished Heisman" claims the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner was provided with hotel stays, cash for shopping sprees and money to buy and customize a car.
The book's authors, Don Yaeger and Jim Henry, acknowledge that Lake "has been compensated in return for his full cooperation," according to a story posted on the Los Angeles Times' Web site Thursday.
The book hints that USC coaches may have known about some of the arrangements.
Bush has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
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The NCAA and the Pac-10 are investigating whether Bush and his parents took improper benefits during 2004 and 2005, when Bush was still playing college football.
If the NCAA determines that USC violated rules, the football program could have to forfeit victories from those seasons — the Trojans won a national championship in 2004 and lost in the BCS title game against Texas in 2005 — and face other penalties.
● A University of Washington booster offered $200,000 for law school scholarships if coach Ty Willingham and athletic director Todd Turner were fired, The Seattle Times reported Thursday.
Ed Hansen, 68, a multimillionaire lawyer, confirmed the offer to university president Mark A. Emmert.
● Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden of Arkansas was handcuffed by police and then released without charges after being involved in a "pretty rowdy scene" at a Little Rock, Ark., piano bar early Thursday.
● Dax Crum, who played this past season for Mesa Community College, said he has signed to play with Wyoming.
The Scottsdale native completed 149 of 244 passes for 2,807 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Thunderbirds finished 9-2.
