Ex-DEA Chief to Run Yankees for Time Being

Former Drug Enforcement Administration head Jack Lawn was chosen today to run the New York Yankees until Robert E. Nederlander is approved as the new general partner.

At the same time, the team’s part owners squabbled over a lawsuit filed by two limited partners, and U.S. District Judge Alice M. Batchelder postponed until Monday a hearing on the request for a temporary restraining order that would continue George Steinbrenner’s 17-year reign.

Steinbrenner, under terms a July 30 agreement with Commissioner Fay Vincent, must resign as general partner by Monday because of his relationship with gambler Howard Spira.

The Yankees did not make a formal announcement about the 55-year-old Lawn taking over, but Witkind and a baseball official who spoke on the condition he not be identified said the former DEA administrator would be the interim boss. The baseball official said Steinbrenner had informed the commissioner’s office orally but had not yet provided written confirmation.

Lawn, a former Marine Corps captain, joined the team in March after a 27-year government career, including time with the FBI.

Nederlander, picked Wednesday to succeed Steinbrenner as general partner, cannot take over until he is approved by American and National League owners, a process expected to take a month.

In a letter sent to Vincent today, Nederlander opposed the lawsuit, filed Thursday in federal court by part owners Daniel R. McCarthy and Harold M. Bowman. The two seek to annul the agreement between Steinbrenner and Vincent, charging the investigation of the Yankees owner was unfair.