New Tyson Prosecutor Seeks Some Form of Incarceration

The sentencing of Mike Tyson for the assault charges stemming from a traffic accident in the Washington suburb of Gaithersburg, Md., in August has become murky.

In a plea agreement reached in November, Tyson agreed to plead no contest and in return prosecutors waived the right to recommend jail time.

But a new prosecutor, Montgomery County state attorney Douglas Gansler, who took that position Jan. 4, has come under fire from Tyson’s attorney, Paul Kemp, who claimed in court Monday that Gansler has violated the deal by asking for jail time,

Gansler denied using the phrase “jail time,” but added, “It’s not an agreement that I would have reached. You can ask for incarceration but you can’t ask for jail. That’s a problem.”

One form of incarceration is home detention.

Golf

In a dispute between golf club manufacturers, Callaway Golf is suing Orlimar and claiming patent infringement and misleading advertising. The lawsuit, filed in San Diego, seeks an injunction and monetary damages.

The two California equipment companies have been at odds since last year, when Orlimar cut into Callaway’s dominance in the fairway metals market.

Callaway, based in Carlsbad, contends the patent infringement concerns the design of its irons. Callaway also contends that Orlimar has been running ads on its TriMetal driver that falsely claim the club is a favorite on tour.

Federal agents have arrested six golf club distributors and four manufacturers who allegedly sold millions of dollars in counterfeit golf equipment.

The arrests by U.S. Customs Service agents in Orlando, Fla., Atlanta, Houston and Savannah, Ga., followed an undercover investigation, dubbed “Project Teed Off,” in which agents posed as importers for two major counterfeit golf club manufacturers.

Agents made 303 seizures of phony golf equipment worth $6 million during the two-year investigation, which was initiated at the request of the golf equipment industry. The arrests were timed to coincide with the PGA Merchandise Show being held this week in Orlando.

Organizers of next week’s Buick Invitational are offering a $5,000 reward to help catch whoever sprayed acid on both the No. 18 greens at Torrey Pines Golf Course, burning deep gashes into the turf.

Repairs began immediately, but some damage may still be visible during the tournament.

Jack Nicklaus was released from a Boston hospital Monday, five days after undergoing hip replacement surgery. Nicklaus, 59, will return to his home in North Palm Beach, Fla., and is expected to be on crutches for six weeks. He will miss the Masters after 40 consecutive appearances. . . . Greg Norman is among the creditors of the bankrupt World Golf Club of Sydney, Australia, which promised members access to the world’s most famous courses. Norman helped bankroll and launch the club, and was named its captain. It is not known how much money is owed to Norman. . . . Tiger Woods extended his lead over David Duval at the top of the official world golf rankings after finishing third in the Phoenix Open. Woods tops the rankings with 11.78 points. Duval, who finished tied for 18th at Phoenix, is second with 11.18, and Mark O’Meara is third with 10.18.

Baseball

As expected, baseball’s 2001 All-Star game will be played in Seattle’s new retractable-roof stadium, league officials said. The decision was made in part to reward the community for the decision to build a $500-million, 47,000-seat stadium, due to open in July, American League President Gene Budig said.

Highly regarded minor league third baseman Mike Lowell was traded by the New York Yankees to the Florida Marlins for three minor league pitchers. . . . Cleveland Indian General Manager John Hart said the team will not trade shortstop Omar Vizquel, nor will it renegotiate his contract. Vizquel is unhappy with his contract, which will pay him $3 million a year through 2002. . . . Outfielder Chris Jones rejoined the San Diego Padres, signing a minor league contract and receiving an invitation to spring training. Jones, 33, played for the Padres in 1997. He then signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, hitting only .194 in 20 games before being traded to San Francisco. . . . The Houston Astros avoided a salary arbitration hearing with outfielder Carl Everett by agreeing to a $2.4-million, one-year contract.

Miscellany

Long Beach is one of three cities being considered as the host for the 2003 FINA World Championships, considered the most prestigious swimming event outside of the Olympic Games. Barcelona and Montreal are the other top candidates. A decision will be made March 30 in Hong Kong.

Las Vegas may be getting another major auto race. CART officials said they would like to run a race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway next year. The track already has a NASCAR Winston Cup stock car race and an Indy Racing League event.