Yahoo Sports is reporting that a lawsuit was filed in San Diego County Tuesday afternoon against Reggie Bush by Lloyd Lake. Lake is suing Bush for close to $300,000.00. Lake alleges payments and benefits to Bush commencing while Bush was a sophomore at USC. He wants the money back since Bush ultimately didn't hire him

The dagger in the heart development is that Lake is scheduled to meet with the NCAA on Friday. To this point NCAA investigators have cited a lack of cooperation with potential key witnesses. Those key witnesses include Bush, his present marketing agent, Mike Ornstein, and the two partners in New Era Sports and Entertainment, Lloyd Lake and Michael Michaels. Previously Michaels settled out of court with Bush for a reported two to three hundred thousand dollars, along with an agreement that Michaels not speak to the NCAA. It would appear Lake has leverage and that he intends to use that leverage.

Lets just assume the allegations of improper benefits to Bush are all or partially correct. The issue then becomes did USC know or should have they know about these benefits. Yahoo Sports is reporting that at least to a degree USC assistant coach Todd McNair knew of the relationship between Bush, Michaels, and Lake. Further, at least a couple of times Michaels and Lake were permitted into the USC locker room post game.

Yahoo sports points out something worth understanding about NCAA investigations. The NCAA does not have the power of subpoena. Therefore, an NCAA investigation can be greatly helped if there is a court action as witnesses are subpoenned, along with documents, be it for trial or part of the pretrial discovery process.

Again, if the Lake lawsuit has merit, then Lake has leverage. It will be interesting to see if Bush writes a check before Lake uses his leverage. Time will tell.

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wpeery said:

	Bush is screwed and has been for quite some time... he would have been wiling to talk to the NCAA if he didn't commit any violations. I love Reggie and all that he brought to the game while he was at USC with his electrifying play and jaw-dropping moves... but in the end I think he's going to have to pay and pay severely for his actions.
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October 31, 2007
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Mike said:

USC doesn't know what is about to hit them.....I am a big college football fan and my team is Alabama. When Alabama got hit with violations for a booster giving money to a highschool coach to send players over, they were HAMMERED by the NCAA. No Bowl GAmes and many scholarship cuts, this rise of Auburn and fall of Alabama was not a coincidence when this happened. I see many bad things to come for USC, starting with their heisman winner and national championship. Look to see USC drop off BIG when they can't go to bowl games and no more big recruits are coming in. This will set them back at least 6-10 years. Good luck if Pete leaves and your left with a crushed program with no more players, no coach and no bowl eleigability.

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December 09, 2007
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JEH45 said:

	Mike: Not to hijack this subject, but how do ya'll feel having saban under your belt for a year?
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December 11, 2007
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Jon said:

I, like Mike, and a Bama fan and am disturbed at the possible double-standard with USC versus past investigations of many other schools like Alabama, Kentucky, Ole Miss, etc. I can only hope that in the end justice will be served. To answer JEH45's question: I think Saban will get it done in time. As he says, "this is a process." Shula left him with a team full of questionable-talent thugs. Our recruiting class should be top 5 this year, we just hired a good OC, so things are moving in the right direction.

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February 01, 2008
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JEH45 said:

	Jon: Do Bama fans believe saban shopped himself around at the end of this season or was that just internet crap? Re double standard, it is disgusting to think it exists, but how can you argue it doesn't? It cheapens the sport we love.
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February 01, 2008
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