One of the two would-be sports marketers who allegedly made improper payments to Reggie Bush while he was still at USC has agreed to meet with NCAA investigators and claims to have documentation of financial transactions between Bush and him, according to a source close to the investigation.
Lloyd Lake was also expected to file a civil lawsuit in San Diego this month. He will seek to recoup money allegedly given to Bush and his family and will ask for punitive damages, claiming the former Trojans tailback defrauded him in a deal to launch a sports marketing agency, the source said.
Bush, now in his second season with the New Orleans Saints, has repeatedly said that neither he nor his family did anything wrong.
Some people close to him have contended that the young athlete and his parents were led astray by unscrupulous agents. Others have questioned the credibility of Lake, a former documented gang member and convicted felon.
Lake's attorney, Brian Watkins, and Bush's attorney, David Cornwell, declined to comment.
An NCAA spokeswoman said investigators have encouraged anyone with information on the matter to step forward, but she would not discuss specifics of the case.
If investigators find that Bush received improper benefits while playing for the Trojans during the 2004 or 2005 seasons, USC could be forced to forfeit games. The program could face further sanctions if it were proved that coaches or administrators knew or should have known about the alleged benefits.
Bush's status as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner also could be in jeopardy.
The source familiar with the situation said that USC officials declined to attend a meeting with Lake and NCAA investigators.
Todd Dickey, senior vice president and general counsel for the university, said: "It's an ongoing investigation, so I cannot comment on any specifics. And I'm not going to confirm or deny any witnesses that are being interviewed."
He added, "It's our policy to participate in any witness interviews if we are invited to do so or know about them."
This is not the first time Lake has reportedly considered talking to authorities and filing a lawsuit.
The controversy erupted in the spring of 2006 after Lake and business partner Michael Michaels alleged they had sought to create a marketing agency called New Era Sports & Entertainment with Bush and his stepfather, LaMar Griffin.
