Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 1, 1994 TAG: 9407010092
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Harding was stripped of the national championship she won Jan.8 in Detroit and was banned from the association for life.
The decision by a five-member disciplinary panel appointed by the association was unanimous.
Harding's actions surrounding the Jan.6 attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan ``evidence a clear disregard for fairness, good sportsmanship and ethical behavior,'' the panel said.
William Hybl, the former U.S. Olympic Committee president who chaired the panel, said Harding's March 16 admission she conspired to hinder prosecution of those responsible for the attack was the most important factor in the decision. But the panel believed Harding's involvement went much further.
``By a preponderance of the evidence, the panel did conclude that she had prior knowledge and was involved prior to the incident,'' Hybl said.
Harding denies she knew of the attack before it occurred, but Hybl said the panel believed otherwise.
``I think it's a cumulative effect of a lot of evidence,'' he said. ``I will tell you that various records - bank records, phone records - and the way they came together to establish a case really were very important to this panel.''
Many of the records were obtained by John Bennett, a Portland, Ore., attorney hired by the association to investigate the case.
Harding remained in Portland, her hometown, and did not participate in the two-day hearing that ended with Thursday's decision.
Harding has 30 days to appeal to the association's executive committee. Under the organization's bylaws, if she does appeal and is not satisfied, she can then appeal to an independent arbitrator.
Harding's attorney, Bob Weaver, said he could not comment until he had read the panel's decision.
by CNB