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New affidavits continue to disparage Culpepper By Christopher Walsh Sports Writer July 06, 2005 Email this story. TUSCALOOSA | New affidavits in the $60 million defamation lawsuit field by two former University of Alabama assistant football coaches against the National Collegiate Athletic Association and others further question the integrity and character of recruiting analyst Tom Culpepper. Both Paul Finebaum, a popular radio host in the Southeast, and Bruce Graham, a freelance writer who worked with Culpepper at College Sports Southeast, described numerous unsubstantiated allegations Culpepper made against Alabama and specifically recruiting coordinator Ronnie Cottrell. Finebaum, who was listed as a defendant in the initial lawsuit, recalled 22 allegations by Culpepper -- ranging from Cottrell bought" high school players to having a gambling problems that former Alabama booster Logan Young was financing and/or covering -- that were often discussed on his show. This became a regular and frequent topic of conversation on my program from approximately August 2000 until I came to realize that Tom Culpepper had ulterior motives and was making damaging statements with little or no regard to the truth about Ronnie Cottrells involvement with recruiting violations in the Memphis area," the affidavit said. Graham listed 13 allegations that Culpepper made and spread to many SEC and NCAA coaches, and called his behavior psychotic." From my personal knowledge and work experience with Tom Culpepper, I would describe him as an egotistical paranoid schizophrenic with delusions of grandeur and a pathological liar," Grahams affidavit read. Tom Culpepper sincerely thinks that he is smarter and better than anyone else. Tom Culpepper has a 'Jekyll & Hyde personality and he has regularly threatened physical harm to myself and others. When his temper flares, his eyes water and he begins to enrage. In September of 1999, in the CSSE parking lot, he blocked my car with his vehicle in the parking lot and when I politely asked him to move it, he refused and threatened to beat me up." Graham said Culpepper had threatened to physically harm others in the media as well, including Rodney Orr of TiderInsider, who recorded a conversation between them that has been entered as evidence. Culpeppers attorneys have filed a motion asking the tape declared inadmissible. The affidavits were filed to rebut statements made during a summary judgment hearing in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court on June 23. A ruling on the motion to dismiss has yet to be made. Meanwhile, Culpeppers attorneys filed a motion Tuesday to force Cottrell to produce documents regarding loans he received from Young. At issue is a $10,000 loan Cottrell was asked about during his deposition. Cottrell responded to a June request for documents, but the defense maintains that the information is incomplete. Judge Steve Wilson has yet to rule on another motion to compel which would force production of a document plaintiffs believe will show that the NCAA is paying Culpeppers legal fees. The jury trial is scheduled to begin Monday. Already the NCAA filed its list of both witnesses and exhibits it may introduce in presenting its case. Among the 33 witnesses, who could provide either live testimony or though a deposition, are numerous NCAA employees including former Committee on Infractions chairman Thomas Yeager, investigator Richard Johanningmeier and former enforcement staff director Mark Jones. Listed from Alabama are director of athletics Mal Moore, associate athletics director and senior woman administrator Marie Robbins, former facility advisor and current COI chairman Gene Marsh, UA attorney Stan Murphy and former assistant football coaches Jeff Rouzie and Dabo Swinney. Others of note include former SEC commissioner Roy Kramer, SEC investigator Bill Sievers, former college football coach John Mackovic, Memphis-based assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Godwin (who prosecuted Young), and journalists Ray Melick and Kevin Scarbinsky. The defense has more than 300 exhibits, everything from interviews and transcripts to newspaper stories and 20 charts to be used as visual aids. Among them are numerous pieces of evidence that were used in the Young criminal case in Memphis, and an interview summary with former Alabama recruit Kenny Smith, who is currently suing Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer. The plaintiffs contend that Culpepper, Fulmer and others conspired to destroy the Alabama football program by targeting Cottrell and Ivy Williams. On Tuesday, they filed a response to the NCAAs objection regarding the latest attempts to force Fulmer to give a deposition. Reach Christopher Walsh at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or at (205) 722-0196. _______________________________________________ RTF mailing list RTF@rolltidefan.net http://rolltidefan.net/mailman/listinfo/rtf_rolltidefan.net
