Rush Told Grandmother He Took Agent’s Money

LAIE, Hawaii — Suspended UCLA basketball player JaRon Rush has admitted to school officials that he violated NCAA rules by accepting money from Los Angeles-based agent Jerome Stanley, sources told The Times.

Stanley denies having anything more than a friendship with Rush. But people close to the situation have confirmed that Rush acknowledged improper ties when university officials confronted the sophomore forward with information about relationships with Stanley and former AAU coach Myron Piggie.

Rush’s grandmother, Jeanette Jacobs, confirmed a published report that Rush admitted to her that he took four payments of $50 each from Stanley.

“That’s not true,” Stanley said Monday. “I did not give him any money at all. Zero.”

Stanley said he told the same things to UCLA administrators last Wednesday. With contradictory statements and no hard evidence to support either side, the issue might not be fully resolved when the school sends its findings to the Pacific 10 Conference. It is unclear whether UCLA intends to ask the NCAA to launch an investigation into the matter.

Stanley’s involvement with Rush may have come to light as authorities reportedly are investigating Piggie in Kansas City, Mo., on suspicion of tax evasion, fraud and money laundering.

The specifics of what Rush said in court proceedings are not known, but sources have confirmed that Stephen Hill, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri in Kansas City, contacted UCLA officials and eventually traveled to Los Angeles with at least one other person from his office and an FBI agent to meet with Athletic Director Pete Dalis. That meeting took place Dec. 9.

Rush was suspended indefinitely the next day, putting his collegiate eligibility in doubt.

Based on precedent, the dealings with Stanley probably will not end Rush’s college career, because he could be allowed to return any payments and serve a suspension. What remains to be seen is whether additional evidence of improprieties is uncovered during the reported investigation of Piggie.

Even Rush’s grandmother--who was in Los Angeles this past week before returning home to Kansas City on Sunday--has not questioned him about Piggie.

“I just asked him about the Jerome Stanley part,” she told The Times on Monday. “That was it. I’ll get to the real core of it eventually. He was a little upset. He’s fine spirit-wise, but he’s a little down. It was hard sitting out.”

Jacobs and Rush had dinner after the Bruin loss to Gonzaga on Dec. 11 and she said she got straight to the point with her grandson.

“We were just talking and I asked him, ‘Did that happen?’ ” she said. “The guy [Stanley] is saying it didn’t happen. If it wasn’t true, why would he [Rush] say it? He [Rush] was just telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. And see what it got him.”

Another Kansas City source familiar with Rush’s grand-jury appearance in November said that he made a “mistake” by not having his attorney in the building during his testimony. A person subpoenaed by a grand jury is not allowed to have an attorney present during questioning, but can leave the room to confer with counsel.

UCLA said Friday that Rush probably will be allowed to rejoin the team for practice shortly after Christmas, but also cautioned that decision is not an indication of the direction of the school’s investigation. Indications remain that he will miss games into January and the start of Pacific 10 Conference play.

Rush did not accompany the Bruins to Hawaii for the Pearl Harbor Classic that starts today against Maine, instead returning home to Kansas City for the holidays. The three tournament games will bring to five the number Rush has sat out during the suspension.

Dillman reported from Los Angeles.