Evidence to Be Unsealed in IBF Case

A federal court judge ruled Monday that he would unseal some of the government’s evidence against Robert Lee Sr., president of the International Boxing Federation, who stands accused of accepting bribes to fix rankings.

Responding to a motion by the Los Angeles Times, U.S. District Judge John W. Bissell said he would review documents, audio- and videotapes to determine which will be released. Bissell said he may engage in a “balancing effort” to withhold material that could harm innocent people.

The judge said he hoped to complete his review within a week.

Lee and three IBF executives have been charged with taking $338,000 from promoters and managers in return for manipulating the rankings that determine which boxers get big-money bouts.

A November indictment concealed the identities of seven promoters and managers and 23 boxers allegedly involved in payoffs.

Lee has denied the charges.

Prosecutors say they have an “abundance of evidence” against him, including videotapes that show Lee taking bribes.

Lee’s attorney, Gerald Krovatin, argued that the release of such materials before trial begins in spring would have a “potentially devastating effect” on his client’s right under the 6th Amendment.

“Mr. Lee is entitled to a trial by a fair and impartial jury,” Krovatin said. “ . . . The influence is inescapable.”