He's There in Bad Times

A few days after USC linebacker Rey Maualuga was arrested on suspicion of punching a man at a party last week, a familiar name appeared in the news.

Carmen Trutanich.

In the last year or so, the Southern California attorney has represented four Trojan football players -- tailback Hershel Dennis, former cornerback Eric Wright, former defensive lineman Manuel Wright and now Maualuga.

The stout, personable USC alumnus has worked as a prosecutor for the district attorney's office and, last summer, was hired by the city attorney to represent the Coliseum Commission in its dealings with the NFL.

As an attorney in private practice, Trutanich has no official connection to USC football, but team officials have referred players to him often enough that, last spring, the NCAA and Pacific 10 Conference investigated.

The 54-year-old man known as "Nuch," while declining to comment with Maualuga's case pending, has spoken previously of his work with USC athletes and, he says, some who played for other colleges.

"I hope no one else gets in trouble," he told The Times in April. "But I hope that anybody who gets in trouble calls me.... The bottom line is that I think I've done a great job representing student-athletes."

Asked about Trutanich, Coach Pete Carroll said: "He's part of the [USC] community. Somebody has to represent these guys."

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In his early days as a college assistant, Carroll recalls, former coach Lou Holtz warned him to expect four or five crises each season, on and off the field.

Since his arrival at USC in 2001, at least seven of Carroll's players and a recruit have come under law enforcement scrutiny, including the four represented by Trutanich.

Last spring, police arrested Eric Wright on suspicion of felony sexual assault and, according to documents, found 136 Ecstasy pills in an apartment he shared with a teammate. In August 2004, Dennis was the focus of a sexual-assault investigation.

Authorities did not find sufficient evidence to charge either man. Dennis remains with the team. Wright transferred to Nevada Las Vegas.

Also in 2004, Trutanich took over the case of Manuel Wright, who had been convicted of misdemeanor battery before entering the university the year before and was summoned back to court for failing to comply with his probation.

Wright's father, Terence, said he would recommend the attorney to anyone who needed legal help. But before Trutanich gets involved, the first step for any USC player is to check a laminated card provided by the team.