Checks Written by Jordan Questioned Again : Pro basketball: NBA says it will “look into” alleged payments to cover gambling debts.

Questions have been raised again about checks written by the Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan, and the NBA says it will review the matter.

“I wouldn’t call it an investigation, but we are looking into it,” NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said Friday after reports that two checks signed by Jordan and a copy of cashier’s checks totaling $108,000 were found by lawyers and police in the estate of bondsman Eddie Dow.

Dow’s lawyer and his brother said the checks were to pay gambling debts incurred by Jordan, The Gaston Gazette reported.

Jordan has denied knowledge of the checks.

After Wednesday night’s game against the Washington Bullets, Jordan said: “I am totally out of that situation. I have no further comment.”

Two checks dated Aug. 22, 1991, were drawn on the account of Michael and Juanita Jordan at Firstar North Shore Bank in Northbrook, Ill. One for $11,000 was payable to the bearer; the second for $20,000 was payable to Dean Chapman, a longtime friend of Dow.

A copy of a cashier’s check for $77,000 also was found in Dow’s records. The check was drawn on an account at Sovran Bank in Washington used by ProServ, the Virginia sports management company that manages Jordan, the Charlotte Observer reported in a copyrighted story Friday.

Attorney Stephen Gheen, who is handling Dow’s estate, said the $77,000 check to Chapman was to be divided among Chapman, Dow and three others who won money from Jordan, the Observer reported.

Chapman was not available for comment. Reporters attempting to reach him Friday were referred to his lawyer.

Flip Dow, a former police officer who is administering his brother’s estate, confirmed Gheen’s account of the check.

Last year, federal agents seized a $57,000 check Jordan wrote to James (Slim) Bouler on Oct. 22, 1991. In an affidavit, the IRS said Bouler was “a suspected cocaine carrier for various drug organizations in the Charlotte and Monroe area.”

Bouler said Jordan loaned him the money to help purchase land for a driving range. The check was returned to Bouler by a federal judge, who said the IRS had no grounds to seize it.

Jordan skipped a White House appearance Oct. 1, 1991, to play golf at Hilton Head, S.C. Bouler and Dow also were at Hilton Head at that time, friends and relatives of both said.

“Eddie told me he went to Hilton Head on three occasions in 1991 and was invited by someone who knew Jordan to meet him . . . and gamble with him,” Gheen said.

Gambling doesn’t violate NBA rules unless wagers are placed on NBA games.

“We have a good-conduct rule that says a player must be of good moral character to ensure the integrity of the league,” NBA media spokeswoman Chartese Dean said.