Spano Facing Charges in Failed Islander Deal
Businessman John Spano will return to the United States to surrender to authorities today and be charged with wire and bank fraud in connection with his failed purchase of the New York Islanders, Spano’s criminal defense attorney said Tuesday.
While federal agents were looking to arrest Spano at his home and office in Dallas, Spano was at a resort in the Cayman Islands where he has been staying for at least four days.
The agents came up empty, but Newsday reached Spano at the resort, where he refused to comment on his immediate plans.
“How in the world did you get this number?” Spano demanded. “You call me again, and I’m going to take matters into my own hands.”
His attorney, Nicholas Gravante Jr., said Spano wasn’t on vacation or looking to avoid arrest--but was working on a business agreement in the Caribbean.
The charges against Spano aren’t expected to be revealed until he appears at the New York courthouse today. Newsday reported that Spano made fraudulent claims to obtain an $80-million loan from Fleet Bank that he used toward the $165-million purchase price of the NHL franchise.
Soccer
Ronaldo’s $26.7-million move to Internazionale of Milan from Barcelona was approved by FIFA, clearing soccer’s world player of the year to take the field with his new team this weekend.
FIFA ruled the payment of 40 million peseta by Inter was only to buy out the forward’s contract. The governing body told the teams to agree on a transfer fee by July 31.
Ronaldo, 20, led the Spanish League with 34 goals last season, nine more than the No. 2 scorer. He received the $26.7 million from Inter to buy out his eight-year contract with Barcelona. His deal with Inter calls for a $14-million signing bonus and a $3-million annual salary.
Ronaldo is eligible to make his debut for Inter in Sunday’s exhibition game against Manchester United at San Siro Stadium in Milan. The transfer would be soccer’s most expensive, exceeding the $25 million paid last year by Newcastle to Blackburn Rovers for Alan Shearer.
Basketball
Adonal Foyle, the first-round draft pick of the Golden State Warriors from Colgate, will have surgery on his left foot.
Foyle suffered a broken bone in his foot while playing in the Jersey Shore League last week. Surgery will be performed today. The injury will be evaluated in September to determine if Foyle will be ready for the start of training camp.
Seattle SuperSonic officials had no comment on a report that the Denver Nuggets are considering a swap of Antonio McDyess for disgruntled all-star forward Shawn Kemp. Allen Bristow, Denver’s vice president for basketball operations, acknowledged talking with the SuperSonics, but Seattle officials would not comment.
Tennis
If the U.S. Davis Cup team beats Australia in its World Group semifinal and Italy beats Sweden, the U.S.-Italy final would be in San Diego, Nov. 28-30, the U.S. Tennis Assn. announced.
Michael Stich of Germany won’t be at the U.S. Open when it begins next month. Neither will Stefan Edberg of Sweden or Russian Andrei Chesnokov. But they are the only players of the top 100 ranked men who were not on the entry list for the Grand Slam event released by the U.S. Tennis Assn.
Top-seeded Sergi Bruguera led four Spaniards through the opening round of the Croatia Open in Umag. Bruguera trounced Chile’s Gabriel Silberstein, ranked 196th in the world, 6-0, 6-4. Third-seeded Felix Mantilla, another Spaniard, defeated Andrei Cherkasov of Russia, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4). Spain’s Carlos Moya and Fernando Vicente also advanced when their opponents retired.
Carlos Costa defeated fellow Spaniard Emilio Alvarez, 6-4, 6-2, in the opening round of the Generali Open at Kitzbuehel, Austria.
Golf
Jason Gore, 23, of Valencia and Buddy Marucci Jr., 45, of Malvern, Pa., were selected to complete the 10-man U.S. team for the Walker Cup matches next month. Gore was the California Amateur champion and California Open champion in 1997, making him the first player since 1942 to win both events in the same year.
Miscellany
A doctor and former coach of tennis star Pete Sampras was ordered to stand trial on charges that he molested young male patients.
After a preliminary hearing that included testimony from the alleged victims, a Downey Municipal Court judge ruled prosecutors have enough evidence to proceed with the case against Dr. Peter Fischer. Fischer, who is free on $460,000 bail, was ordered to appear Thursday in Norwalk Superior Court for arraignment.
In this particular case, Fischer is charged with 10 felonies in connection with three other alleged victims between the ages of 13 and 15, according to the prosecutor.
The Sugar, Orange and Fiesta bowls were named to join the Rose Bowl as part of the Super Alliance that begins after the 1998 regular season.
The four-year deal came with little surprise as those involved in the current Alliance joined the Rose Bowl in the expanded coalition.
When Alliance officials made the new deal they did not automatically include the Sugar, Orange and Fiesta bowls, but did hold an exclusive negotiating period during which outside bowls were not considered. The deal was signed before the exclusive period ended.
Donovan Bailey, feeling sluggish and recovering from a hamstring injury, still intends to run the 100 meters next month in the world championships in Greece, according to his agent.
Michael Moorer wants to fight Evander Holyfield in a match that could help unify titles in boxing’s heavyweight division. Moorer was under contract to fight Mike Tyson. But with Tyson suspended for biting Holyfield’s ears June 28, Moorer’s promoter is seeking another bout.
Ray Mercer, knocked out of a scheduled Aug. 16 heavyweight bout against Andrew Golota by herniated disks in his neck, had surgery Tuesday and should be fighting by the end of the year, according to Mercer’s manager.
Cuba permanently expelled a player and three coaches from baseball, charging they made several attempts to leave the island to join a professional team in the United States, official news media reported. The announcement came a week after a 10-day trip to the United States by Cuban players was canceled for “security reasons.”
