Trainer May Be Charged in Phony 911 Call

Detroit Pistons trainer Mike Abdenour could face charges for needlessly calling Auburn Hills emergency medical workers to the Palace during a team practice.

Abdenour had a security guard call the workers March 6 and tell them a player had collapsed during practice, police said Tuesday. Paramedics responded, as did a fire engine and police car.

Abdenour met the response team, told them there was no emergency, then congratulated them for their quick arrival.

He apparently wanted to check the response time of the rescue unit after the death of Loyola Marymount University basketball star Hank Gathers, who collapsed and died March 4 after suffering a suspected heart attack while playing, said Dennis M. McGee, Auburn Hills public safety director.

No one answered the telephone at the Palace early this morning. Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek said Tuesday that the team has no comment, referring calls to Abdenour’s lawyer, James Alle, who also declined comment.

“We’ve had phony emergency calls before, but it’s usually just little kids playing around,” McGee said. “Neither the Palace nor Piston management apparently had any knowledge of this plan, and they have since told me they are very embarrassed and promised nothing like this will happen again.”