Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 19, 1990 TAG: 9007190640
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A/1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CINCINNATI LENGTH: Medium
Rose also must spend three months in a halfway house after the prison term and perform 1,000 hours of community service with inner-city youths.
Rose was sentenced for failing to report income from memorabilia sales, autograph appearances and the gambling for which he was banned from baseball. U.S. District Judge Arthur Spiegel could have given Rose up to six years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
Sentencing followed an 18-month scandal that left Rose a convicted felon. He blames his troubles on a gambling disorder, for which he is getting treatment.
The former Cincinnati Reds manager agreed last Aug. 23 to a lifetime ban from baseball, but denied betting on baseball.
Rose, limping slightly from a knee injury, showed no visible reaction when he was sentenced. But earlier, his voice broke as he told the judge he was sorry for what he had done.
"Your honor, I'd like to say I'm very sorry, very shameful to be here today in front of you," Rose said.
"I have no excuses because it's all my fault," Rose said during a two-minute statement before the sentencing.
"I hope no one has to go through what I went through the last year and a half," he said. "I lost my dignity, I lost my self respect . . . and I almost lost a lot of dear friends."
The judge also fined Rose $50,000 on the charges and ordered him to pay $100 in court costs.
Spiegel repeatedly referred to Rose's standing as a baseball hero, but said he had to put his (Rose's) fame aside in considering the proper punishment.
"Foremost, we must recognize that there are two people here: Pete Rose, the living legend, the all-time hit leader and the idol of millions; and Pete Rose, the individual who appears today convicted of two counts of cheating on his taxes," Spiegel said. "Today we are not dealing with the legend."
by CNB