Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 19, 1990 TAG: 9006190209
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From New York Times and Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Detroit Free Press, The Oakland (Mich.) Press and WJBK-TV of Detroit reported last weekend that sources had given them information that Thomas ran high-stakes dice games in his home.
Thomas, voted the most valuable player in the NBA Finals, angrily denied the charge. He met, at his request, with FBI agents for two hours Saturday after the stories were published.
"Given the prominence of Mr. Thomas and the attention the matter has received, I would like to clarify the record as best I can," said Stephen Markman, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, at a news conference Monday in Detroit. "Mr. Thomas is not the target of this or any other federal investigation. Mr. Thomas is not the object of any federal criminal charges of any sort."
Speaking Monday at a rally in Detroit to celebrate the Pistons' second consecutive NBA title, Thomas said, "I stood tall and I stood proud all my life. I want you to know that I'll never do anything to let this city or you people down."
An estimated 200,000 fans lined Woodward Avenue and jammed into the Hart Plaza amphitheater on the Detroit River, some as early as 10 a.m., for the rally that began four hours later. The celebration continued peacefully with a rally at The Palace of Auburn Hills, where at least 23,000 fans heaped more praise on the two-time NBA champions.
In other basketball:
Maryland assistant coaches Billy Hahn and Adam Preyer have signed statements denying they conducted preseason workouts, and six players signed statements saying no illegal workouts were conducted last year at the College Park campus.
The school's strength and conditioning coach and the players have said conditioning drills may have been mistaken for preseason workouts, which are prohibited by the NCAA.
by CNB