Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 26, 1994                   TAG: 9401260192
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PORTLAND, ORE.                                LENGTH: Medium

GILLOOLY ATTEMPTS TO DEAL

\ The grand jury investigating the Nancy Kerrigan attack was extended until after the Olympics begin, and NBC News reported Tuesday that Tonya Harding's ex-husband implicated her in a plea-bargain deal that could be worked out this week.

Court documents revealed Tuesday that the grand jury hearing the case was extended to Feb. 18, six days after the Winter Olympics open in Lillehammer, Norway, and three days before skaters draw their turns to perform.

NBC reported that sources close to the case said Jeff Gillooly, who previously had denied any wrongdoing, now said he and Harding plotted to injure Kerrigan.

NBC said Gillooly is working on a plea-bargain agreement that could be completed before the end of the week.

The Detroit Free Press on Tuesday quoted an unidentified source as saying Gillooly was trying to "cut a deal" by implicating Harding.

"Gillooly has told investigators that he could serve her up on a silver platter," the source told the newspaper.

Neither Gillooly's attorney, Ron Hoevet, nor authorities would comment on whether Gillooly was trying to make a deal.

"It's impossible for him to be quoted by investigators in the case because he hasn't spoken to them," Hoevet told The Oregonian newspaper in response to the Free Press report.

Dennis Rawlinson, Harding's lawyer, said Tuesday his client has done nothing to warrant being taken off the Olympic team.

NBC said its sources detailed a Harding legal strategy that would maintain she was involved in a coverup out of fear of Gillooly and Shawn Eckardt, her 310-pound bodyguard. Harding will point out that in divorce papers she accused Gillooly of violence and abuse.

The U.S. Figure Skating Association, which has said it will wait to hear from investigators before deciding if Harding will stay on the Olympic team, did not respond directly to the new deadline.

"We haven't been explained the ramifications of that right now," USFSA spokeswoman Kristin Matta said by telephone from Colorado Springs, Colo. "Officials have not discussed the details of that deadline with us yet."

The grand jury has until Feb. 18 to complete its work, but could issue its report earlier.

The USFSA has until Monday to submit the team roster to the U.S. Olympic Committee but can make substitutions until Feb. 21.

"There is no change," U.S. Olympic Committee executive director Harvey Schiller said about Harding's status on the team.

A source familiar with the U.S. team told The Associated Press the USFSA will give its list to the USOC on Sunday and that the USOC has until 4 p.m. MST Monday to submit it to Lillehammer. Individual skaters on the U.S. team are asked to show up in Lillehammer the second week in February, but are not required to do so.