By Christopher Walsh Sports Writer June 08, 2005
TUSCALOOSA | In a 1,500-page document filed in the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County late Wednesday afternoon, attorneys for former University of Alabama assistant coaches Ronnie Cottrell and Ivy Williams outlined what will likely be the basis of their case when the $60 million defamation lawsuit goes to trial next month. In it were details of what they contend was a three-cornered conspiracy between recruiting analyst Tom Culpepper, Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer and the National Collegiate Athletic Association "to injure, damage and defame the plaintiffs and their employer, the University of Alabama." The document, primarily in four large binders, was in response to motions for summary judgement made by both the NCAA and Culpepper last month. Wednesday was the deadline for a response. Among other things, the brief claims that Culpepper, whom along with Fulmer was a secret witness for the NCAA in its investigation against Alabama, "testified falsely under oath," openly defamed the plaintiffs and "confessed that he told several different people that Ronnie Cottrell was a cheater and a liar that would have a hard time finding a job, and that he had no proof of such allegations." Specifically, "Culpepper even admitted making specific defamatory remarks that Ronnie Cottrell had arranged for someone to take a fraudulent ACT test in Tallahassee, Florida; that Ronnie Cottrell had his assistant steal game films for him from the University of Alabama athletic offices; that Ronnie Cottrell had to go and speak with Commissioner Roy Kramer for disciplinary reasons; and that Ronnie Cottrell had abandoned his ex-wife and children in Tallahassee, Florida and that someone had to purchase a trailer for them to live in." The brief continued: "Culpepper went so far as to state that the above-mentioned overt accounts of defamation along with anything he reported to Fulmer regarding Ivy Williams and Mike DuBose were based on 'rumors.' " In his deposition, recruiting analyst Forrest Davis said that Culpepper claimed that Cottrell had embezzled funds from Shaun Alexander's golf tournament, had a gambling problem that was financed by former Alabama booster Logan Young and took videotapes of recruits when they were let go." Former recruiting analyst Bruce Parris made similar statements in his deposition. Davis also stated that Culpepper claimed Williams was paying players. Rodney Orr of TiderInsider.com said that Culpepper told him in a taped conversation that the plaintiffs "ruined me. You slap me; I slap you back harder. That's how I work." Charles Branch, who worked with Culpepper, said he told him, "I'll do whatever it takes to see Ronnie Cottrell and Logan Young go under." Court records filed Tuesday indicated that the plaintiffs believe that Culpepper - who could not be reached for comment - had come to an agreement with the NCAA for the organization to pay his legal fees. Documents indicated that Culpepper said during his deposition that he owed the law firm of Starnes and Atkinson more than $80,000 and was paying approximately $200 a month. When asked during his deposition given at NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis on Feb. 17, 2005 if the NCAA had paid any of Culpepper's legal fees, NCAA president Myles Brand said "not to his knowledge." A month later, Brand sent a correction to his deposition. Court records also indicated that Culpepper and NCAA investigator Richard Johanningmeier frequently contacted each other during the Alabama investigation. "Culpepper was so involved with the NCAA investigation that he would tell Johanningmeier who to interview and what questions to ask." Culpepper allegedly knew intricate details of the ongoing investigation and what sanctions would be imposed on Alabama before the NCAA issued the infractions report. Additionally, records indicated that from April to Sept. 1998, Fulmer sent former SEC commissioner Roy Kramer at least six communications detailing numerous rumors about Young's involvement in the recruitment of Memphis-area athletes, including Albert Means. The SEC failed to notify Alabama of any concerns until after Means participated during the 2000 season. Fulmer recommended that Kramer contact UT boosters Duke Clement and Chuck Cole to gather possible incriminating information. Clement testified against Young during his recent criminal trial in Memphis. In February, Young was convicted on four counts of conspiracy, crossing state lines to commit racketeering and arranging bank withdrawals to cover up a crime for paying a high school football coach to influence Means' recruitment to Alabama. His sentencing is scheduled for this afternoon. "This case reveals a complex and malicious scheme and conspiracy set in motion by certain individuals and institutions to cause substantial harm (including the possibility of the "death penalty") to the University of Alabama football program," the response states. "In order to accomplish this conspiracy, the parties used the plaintiffs as whipping boys in order to attempt to bring charges against wealthy UA booster Logan Young, under the theory if they could get Young, and then could get to the 'big man' at UA, the falling dominoes would result in inflicting the most severe sanctions (the death penalty) against the UA football program." Reach Christopher Walsh at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or at (205) 722-1096. _______________________________________________ RTF mailing list [email protected] http://rolltidefan.net/mailman/listinfo/rtf_rolltidefan.net
