A would-be San Diego sports marketer said Monday he laments dragging USC into alleged business dealings between him and former Trojans tailback Reggie Bush, a failed venture that has prompted a civil lawsuit and an NCAA investigation.
In a lengthy telephone interview, Lloyd Lake offered no evidence that USC officials were aware of the cash and gifts he allegedly showered on Bush. But when asked if he believed they knew, Lake replied: "I would have to say yeah."
Lake said he came to this belief after several social encounters with USC assistant Todd McNair and after listening in on a telephone conversation between Coach Pete Carroll and Bush's stepfather.
Lake is suing Bush and was paid to cooperate with the authors of a book, "Tarnished Heisman," due in stores today. He was recently interviewed by NCAA investigators.
