Report: USC basketball received subpoena in Lamont Evans case
The University of South Carolina received a subpoena on Sept. 26 in relation to Lamont Evans and the FBI’s investigation into corruption in college basketball.
The Greenville News, through a Freedom of Information Act request, obtained a copy of the subpoena. According to the paper, a federal grand jury in New York sought “any and all documents and communications regarding actual or potential NCAA rules violations relating to the receipt of money, travel, in-kind benefits, or services by players and coaches for the University of South Carolina men’s basketball team.”
The university had until Oct. 17 to turn over its records.
USC spokesman Jeff Stensland told The Greenville News that the school complied and is continuing to cooperate with the investigation.
Court documents allege Evans took at least $22,000 in bribes to direct basketball players to agents or financial advisers while an assistant coach at South Carolina and Oklahoma State. Evans left the Gamecocks for OSU after the 2015-16 season. He was instrumental in recruiting both Sindarius Thornwell and P.J. Dozier to USC.
If convicted, Evans could face up to 80 years in prison.
On Sept. 29, USC athletics director Ray Tanner said in a statement that the university would hire an independent third party to review the issues related to the federal investigation.
The Greenville News reported on Monday that USC hired New York-based Bond, Schoeneck and King as that third party. Bond, Schoeneck and King has a section of its website devoted to practices in collegiate sports.
“The collegiate sports practice at Bond is the nation's premier practice group for the representation of colleges and universities in NCAA rules compliance, eligibility and infractions matters,” the site says. “With over 100 combined years of involvement and experience in NCAA-related matters, our attorneys and consultants are far and away the most qualified, capable and experienced in this area of unique and complex regulations.”
This story was originally published December 18, 2017 at 7:08 PM with the headline "Report: USC basketball received subpoena in Lamont Evans case."