Clarett's benefactor linked to gambling during 2002 season

Bobby Dellimuti made 27 phone calls to an offshoregambling number.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- The benefactor whose improper payments led to the suspension of Ohio State's Maurice Clarett was making calls to an offshore gambling number while he was speaking on a daily basis with Clarett, ESPN.com reported Wednesday.
Cell phone records show that Bobby Dellimuti made 27 calls during the Buckeyes' national title season in 2002 to a prominent sports-book in Costa Rica, SBG Global. Ten of those calls were made in the three weeks leading up to Ohio State's Fiesta Bowl victory over Miami, ESPN.com reported. The records do not show what type of gambling activity took place, including whether Dellimuti was betting on Ohio State games.
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel declined to address the allegations at a news conference on Wednesday at which he trumpeted his recruiting class.
Geiger's statement
"We have read ESPN.com's story and are obviously concerned with the issues it raises," Ohio State athletic director Geiger said in a statement issued immediately after Tressel's news conference. "Rest assured, we will look into this matter and will support and cooperate with any and all investigations."
Tressel said he has still not eliminated the possibility that Clarett could return to play for the Buckeyes this season. Yet Clarett is not attending conditioning sessions with his former teammates. It is not known if Clarett is attending classes at Ohio State.
Dellimuti, 38, told ESPN.com that he had bet on football, but not Ohio State games. ESPN.com used a public records request to obtain the phone records from Ohio State, which received them during the NCAA's investigation of Dellimuti's relationship with Clarett.
"Everyone gambles," Dellimuti said. "Everyone plays football."
But he bristled when asked if he ever used information gleaned from Clarett to bet on Ohio State games.
"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life," he said.