12
Thursday, January 13, 1994
SPORTS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FBI investigates Kerrigan attack
Bodyguard, husband of rival competitor are possible suspects
The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. — The FBI is investigating allegations that the husband of figure skater Tonya Harding and her bodyguard arranged last week's attack on rival skater Nancy Kerrigan, a private investigator said today.
Gary Crowe said a Portland minister came to him for advice after he heard a tape recording of Harding's husband and bodyguard plotting with a third man, described as a "hit man" from Arizona, to injure Kerrigan.
Bart Gori, Oregon spokesman for the FBI, confirmed that the Oregon agents are investigating the Kerrigan attack, but he declined to elaborate.
The Oregonian newspaper first reported yesterday that federal authorities were investigating the possible role of Harding's husband.
Jeff Gilooly, and her bodyguard,
Shawn Eric Eckhardt, in the attack
during practice at the U.S. Figure
Skating Championships in Detroit.
Law enforcement sources in Washington told The Associated Press yesterday that the FBI would announce arrests later last night. Dewey Blanton, a representative for Kerrigan, said yesterday that the skater's family "was informed by the FBI of an impending development."
Kerrigan was struck on the leg after a practice session Jan. 6, suffering severe bruises that forced her to withdraw from the U.S. Olympic trials in Detroit.
The International Committee of the U.S. Figure Skating Association named Kerrigan to the team along with Harding, who won the U.S. championship at the trials.
Crowe said Eugene C. Saunders told him the tape recording made it clear that Kerrigan was the target and that Harding knew nothing about the plot.
Saunders told him a man's voice on the tape asked, "Why don't we just kill her?"
The response: "We don't need to kill her. Let's just hit her in the face."
Crowe described Saunders as a "straight shooter, the straightest of the straight." He did not know which church he was affiliated with, or who played the tape for him.
Crowe said Saunders' acquaintance became worried after receiving threats from the Arizona man because the man who allegedly hired the "hit" had failed to pay the $100,000 promised.
Harding's husband, Gillooily,
acknowledged he was being investigated,
but told The Oregonian he was not involved in the Kerrigan attack.
"I wouldn't do that," Gillooly said. "I have more faith in my wife than to bump off her competition."
Harding's bodyguard, Eckardt,
called the allegations "absurd."
"I would never get involved in anything like that," Eckardt told The Oregonian. "That would be jeopardizing my future, my career. I mean, that's not something I could do or allow."
Harding has denied any link to the attack, saying she felt cheated of the
chance to compete with Kerrigan.
Efforts to find Saunders early yesterday were unsuccessful. There is no phone listing for him, and no one answered the door at his house.
Detroit police, and later FBI agents, questioned all skaters and coaches at the Olympic trials.
Harding and Gillooly talked to FBI agents in Detroit and checked in again with them Tuesday, Harding said earlier.
Gillooily said he understood why the FBI had to investigate him.
"It's their job to follow up on this," Giloolly told The Oregonian. "Nobody likes being investigated by the FBI. But I understand their need to investigate."
Kerrigan's coach had no comment.
"We really have nothing to say because we know nothing about it so there's nothing we can possibly add," said Evy Scotvold. Kerrigan's coach and representative. "You know more than we do."
Chiefs 'steel' big bucks from Buffalo fans
The Associated Press
BUFFALO, N.Y. — David Hart, a Buffalo businessman and Bills fan, last Saturday found himself in the unique situation of rooting for the conference-rivals Pittsburgh Steelers to win.
Hart had a lot riding on the Kansas City Chiefs-Pittsburgh Steelers playoff game — about $50,000 to be exact.
"During halftime I found myself hoping, praying, that Pittsburgh would hold on to win," Hart said. "When the Chiefs won, it was like watching a bundle of money go out the window."
Hart is president of Hart Hotels, a management group that operates four Holiday Inns and a Hampton Inn in the Buffalo area. And like many other Buffalo hotelsellers, restaurateurs, shop owners and taxi drivers who benefit from the tourist industry, he lost out on a mini-bonanza when Kansas City defeated Pittsburgh.
Had the Steelers prevailed, the proximity of Buffalo to Pittsburgh would have meant hordes of football fanatics coming to town for this week's game.
"Traditionally, we know Pittsburgh fans make the trip to Buffalo," said Mary Summers, spokeswoman for the Greater Buffalo Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It would have been a big shot in the arm."
This is the time of year when Buffalo's tourism industry can badly use a boost. Come January and February, western New York turns into snow country and the tourist trade evaporates.
That's where the Bills' playoff success in recent seasons has come in hand. Each game can generate about $150,000 worth of business for the host city, said David Lacki, director of tourism at the visitors bureau.
When the Bills are playing a team from a nearby city or a traditional
rival, the money is even greater, Lacki said. By playing the Los Angeles Raiders instead of Pittsburgh Sunday, Buffalo is losing 15,000 possible tourists.
"There are a lot of elements to this loss," Lacki said. "This is a big-time rivalry. Pittsburgh beat us badly during that Monday night game (on Nov. 15). And it's one of the cities we normally target for tourist trade. It's a shame they didn't win. It's going to mean a lot of money."
Hart figured that his hotels would have rented out 400 rooms at $65 a night. With most guests staying two nights and ordering room service, the hotels lost at least $50,000. Other hoteliers expect similar losses.
"There's a big difference between airfare and carfare," said Ed Wallis, general manager of the Marriott Hotel in Amherst. "With LA, I don't anticipate too many people flying in for the game. If Pittsburgh won, it would have made a difference."
There is some consolation.
If the Bills win their game against the Raiders this weekend, that will put them into the AFC Championship game, which will mean more tourists for business owners.
"It's a big party," Lacki said. "It really doesn't matter who you play because that team's diehard fans are going to come. Once here, they like to go out, drink, have a good time and celebrate. If Buffalo wins Sunday, it might make business people forget that Pittsburgh lost."
There was another aspect to Pittsburgh's loss: Rich Stadium officials were counting on Pittsburgh's incoming fans to help sell out the game. Without a sellout, the game won't be televised in the Buffalo area.
"Pittsburgh was a guaranteed sellout," said a ticket seller at Rich Stadium. "If the game isn't on television, I think that's what everybody will remember as the worst part of Pittsburgh's loss.
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