FBI Investigates George Allen’s Son, Reports Say

Sports agent Bruce Allen, son of former NFL Coach George Allen, and an associate are being investigated by the FBI into possible fraud, including signing college football players before their eligibility expired, and real estate fraud, according to newspaper reports today.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, in today’s editions, quoted unidentified sources in the FBI as saying that key witnesses in their investigation include Sharon Salewski, a former secretary with Allen’s Phoenix-based firm, GBA Sportsworld, and wide receiver Derek Hill of the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers, who played for the University of Arizona in Tucson. Salewski has declined further comment.

Meanwhile, the Arizona Republic reported that the investigation was triggered by a civil suit filed by former Arizona State University player Vince Amoia in November that charges Allen, associate Bob Owens and GBA Sportsworld with fraud, racketeering and breach of contract in a real estate deal.

David Berst, the director of enforcement for the NCAA, told the Republic he is not aware of any allegations against Allen regarding illegal contact with college players.

Owens, a former Arizona State assistant football coach who replaced Frank Kush on an interim basis when Kush was fired in 1978, left Allen’s agency in December and is working in real estate in the Phoenix area.

Allen also is the subject of a lawsuit by a former client stemming from a 1987 real estate deal, the Atlanta newspaper said.

“I think there is a lot of jealousy,” Allen said by phone Tuesday from his Phoenix office. “A lot of misinformation from people who don’t even know the characters. I wouldn’t do anything wrong. To hear some of these things is foolish.”

Allen, 33, represents such NFL players as Phoenix tight end Rob Awalt, Cincinnati running back Ickey Woods and New Orleans running back Craig Heyward. He added that he was not aware of an FBI investigation.

“They have not contacted me or Sportsworld,” Allen said. “I think it’s unbelievable how some jealous people and their false accusations are so embellished. I am not guilty of any of the charges.”

Owens also said he has not been contacted by an FBI representative.

The FBI investigation dealing with the possible early signing of college football players centers on Hill, Pittsburgh’s third-round draft choice in 1989, according to the Atlanta newspaper. Hill signed with Allen in 1988, but changed agents before the draft.

The Journal-Constitution said it has documented through four sources that Allen and Owens bought Hill a $34,000 BMW the night before his final college game.

Allen denied negotiating the sale of the car.

Hill, on advice of his current agent, Steve Zucker of Chicago, declined to discuss his dealings with Allen.

Joe Gerlardi, a Tucson bar owner, told the Journal-Constitution that he recruited Hill on Allen’s behalf. Gerlardi said he provided Hill with the use of a car earlier in his senior year and gave Hill about $16,000 during his final college season.

Allen denied the accusation.

Gerlardi, who said he had a falling-out with Allen, said he was a witness when Hill, two weeks before his final college game, signed with Allen’s firm.

According to the Constitution, two players from Arizona State’s 1989 team, running back Bruce Perkins and wide receiver Lynn James, bought new Toyota Celicas with loans arranged by Sports-world.

“We ain’t got nothing to tell you, man,” said James. “There ain’t no federal investigators. This whole thing is blown out of proportion.”

Perkins denied to the Republic that he received money from Allen before his eligibility expired.

Allen, a former general manager with the USFL Arizona Wranglers, became a sports agent when the league folded after the 1985 season. He also was one of the youngest head coaches in NCAA history, taking over at Occidental, an NCAA Division III school in Los Angeles, at 22.