Advertisement

Ruling clears way for resumption of Bush case

Share
From Times Staff and Wire Reports

A San Diego judge issued a tentative ruling Thursday that could put the civil lawsuit against Reggie Bush, which had come to a standstill, back in motion.

The two sides had argued over the order in which Bush, his family and the would-be sports marketing agent suing him should be deposed, a pretrial procedure that entails answering questions under oath.

Superior Court Judge Joan M. Lewis notified attorneys that the court intended to issue a protective order precluding the defendants from taking depositions until the plaintiff, Lloyd Lake, completes his. Lake has alleged that he gave money and gifts to Bush as part of a business deal the former USC tailback subsequently backed out of.

Advertisement

In February, Lake walked out of his deposition, angry that Bush’s attorneys brought an armed security guard. Shortly thereafter, Bush did not show up for a deposition, his attorneys claiming he had not been properly served.

Bush now concedes to being served and Lewis tentatively ruled that no security guards can be present for Lake’s rescheduled deposition. A hearing in the case is scheduled for today.

-- David Wharton

GOLF

Ochoa struggles in opening round

Lorena Ochoa began her quest for a record-tying fifth consecutive victory on the LPGA Tour with only her second round over par this year.

Ochoa shot a two-over-par 73 at the SemGroup Championship in Broken Arrow, Okla.

Hee Young Park and Beth Bader shared the lead at two-under 69.

David Toms took the first-round lead in the Wachovia Championship with a five-under 67 at Charlotte, N.C.

He leads Phil Mickelson and Jason Bohn by one shot.

BASKETBALL

USC’s Jefferson signs with agent

USC freshman Davon Jefferson signed with agent Bob Myers of Wasserman Media Group, meaning the 6-foot-8 forward has forfeited his remaining college eligibility.

Jefferson was USC’s second-leading scorer last season, averaging 12.1 points and 6.3 rebounds.

Advertisement

-- Ben Bolch

Michael Avery, a 15-year-old eighth-grade player who is 6 feet 4 and lives in Thousand Oaks, has committed to Kentucky.

Wildcats Coach Billy Gillispie, who can’t comment because of NCAA rules, saw Avery play in a tournament last weekend in Ohio.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Washington State Coach Tony Bennett received a $200,000 pay raise that will guarantee him $1 million a year.

Former Tennessee guard Chris Lofton revealed that he underwent treatment for testicular cancer.

Ohio State paid former coach Jim O’Brien $2.74 million for improperly firing him for violating NCAA rules, according to his attorney, Joseph Murray.

JURISPRUDENCE

Man says Jones ordered shooting

A man charged with shooting three people outside a Las Vegas strip club has denied he was involved and accused Adam “Pacman” Jones of ordering the shooting and framing him to avoid identifying the real shooter.

Advertisement

Arvin Kenti Edwards of Renton, Wash., is being held in a Washington state jail on $1-million bail pending extradition to Nevada.

Former track star Tim Montgomery has been indicted on heroin distribution charges, the Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk reported.

The 33-year-old sprinter was arrested Wednesday on a sealed indictment, accused of dealing more than 100 grams of heroin in Virginia over the last year, according to the newspaper.

Seven of Marion Jones’ relay partners filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport seeking to retain their 2000 Olympic medals. Jones had her medals stripped last year after admitting to doping during the Sydney Games.

SURFING

Beschen advances at San Clemente

Shane Beschen put himself among the favorites to win the 6.0 Lowers Pro at Trestles near San Clemente.

Beschen advanced in the Assn. of Surfing Professionals four-star World Qualifying Series contest with the highest heat total of the event.

Advertisement

He scored an 18.10 out of a possible 20, using a powerful backhand assault and swooping forehand turns.

-- Pete Thomas

FOOTBALL

Aikman is headed to another Hall of Fame

Former UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman will be among 13 players and two coaches inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame.

He was a first-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys and spent 12 seasons in the NFL.

-- Chris Foster

PASSINGS

Chavez, 46, founding member of the AVP

Robert Chavez, who played on USC’s 1980 NCAA championship volleyball team and was a founding member of the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals, has died. He was 46.

Advertisement