POP/ROCK - Oct. 16, 1990

Kids Manager Denies Mobster Ties : The manager of the New Kids on the Block denies he gave part ownership of the successful singing group to a convicted loan shark and reputed mobster in exchange for a $50,000 loan. Manager Maurice Starr told the Boston Herald that a claim in a federal bankruptcy suit that James Martorano loaned the money to Starr for a 25% interest in the singing group was “ludicrous.” Martorano, 48, has served time for being an accessory to murder, loansharking and fixing horse races. Starr said he met Martorano “once or twice” but never sold any ownership in the New Kids to him.