FLORIDA STATE Gambling report spurs denial
A Florida newspaper reported that more players than dismissed quarterback Adrian McPherson took part.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State University on Thursday denied a report that an ongoing investigation into allegations of illegal gambling focuses on Seminole football players other than former quarterback Adrian McPherson.
In a story published Thursday, the Tallahassee Democrat reported FSU Police Chief Carey Drayton confirming that investigators were looking into gambling allegations against members of the football team.
Drayton and John Carnaghi, FSU's senior vice president for Finance and Administration, backed away from the account. In a written statement, FSU spokeswoman Browning Brooks, called the story "inaccurate and very misleading."
FSU police are investigating "rumors and hearsay regarding a single, former football player, Adrian McPherson," Brooks' statement said. "The investigation does not currently extend to any other student-athletes at FSU."
Democrat Executive Editor John Winn Miller said the newspaper stands by the story.
The statement said FSU police may release additional information when the case is closed, possibly in late January.
McPherson's lawyer, Grady Irvin Jr., has repeatedly denied that his client has ever bet on a sporting event.
Assistance required
Florida State asked for assistance last month from the Tallahassee Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in investigating allegations of gambling.
At one point Thursday, FDLE executive director Tim Moore also told the Associated Press that the investigation involved FSU players.
Later in the day, FDLE spokeswoman Jennie Khoen released this one-sentence statement: "Part of the investigation into gambling in the Tallahassee area includes Adrian McPherson and other students, not athletes," she said.
McPherson, Florida's high school "Mr. Basketball" and "Mr. Football" during the 2000-01 school year, was dismissed from the team Nov. 25. He was charged with stealing a blank check from R & amp;R Truck Accessories in Tallahassee, a misdemeanor, and with receiving stolen goods after the check was cashed, a felony.
The check was later forged by someone, made out for $3,500 and cashed.
The money has not been recovered.