"If a school feels there has been a violation, or a serious potential violation, the NCAA rules require a school to go forward, to report itself," said Jack Friedenthal, a George Washington University law professor who sits on the association's appeals committee. He stressed that his comments were general in nature, and not directed at USC.
"There is an obligation for the school to investigate and to work with the NCAA to clear up matters," Friedenthal said.
J. Brent Clark, a one-time NCAA investigator who practices law in Oklahoma, agreed, but said he was not surprised that the USC inquiry has taken so long.
"The NCAA is under no real sense of urgency to wrap this up, even though justice delayed is justice denied," Clark said. "The NCAA is a de-facto cartel, and its product is big-time college football. USC is a major component of that. The NCAA doesn't want USC to be off television or ineligible for bowls."
Nevertheless, if USC suspects that any violations have occurred, it would be wise to jump on them, and not take a back seat to the NCAA. "Self-investigation and self-imposition of penalties is really the salvation of USC," Clark said. "Otherwise, it's going to be much worse for them."
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paul.pringle@latimes.com
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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)Inside the investigation
A reference of names included in this report:
* Reggie Bush: New Orleans Saints running back who won the Heisman Trophy while playing for USC in 2005. He settled a lawsuit related to allegations that his family lived rent free during a time he played for the Trojans but has denied wrongdoing.
* Lloyd Lake and Michael Michaels: San Diego men who wanted to launch a sports marketing agency with Bush as their marquee client. Lake says he made payments to Bush and is suing him. Michaels owned a home in which Bush's family allegedly lived without paying rent. He also sued but has reached a settlement.
* Brian Watkins: Lake's attorney, who says USC has never spoken directly to his client.
* Pete Carroll: USC's championship-winning football coach who guides a program that generates millions of dollars in revenue for the school. The NCAA is looking into whether he or his coaches knew or should have known about Bush allegedly receiving improper benefits.
* O.J. Mayo: Was among the nation's best prospects when he made the surprising choice to play for USC. Spent one season, 2007-08, with the Trojans, and just completed his rookie season with the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies.
