The arena deal may be dead. But through their spokespeople, the Maloofs and the city of Sacramento are exchanging words yet again.
“It is becoming clearer that the foundation of Think Big is built on fabrication and deception,” said Maloof spokesman Eric Rose in an email statement to media Monday evening. “The name of the organization should be changed to Think Big Fraud.”
Last Friday, CBS 13 reported that the Maloofs hired an ex-FBI agent to investigate the possibility of forged signatures in a letter to NBA Commissioner David Stern. That letter, which requested new ownership for the Sacramento Kings, was sent by local business leaders during last month’s Board of Governors’ meetings in New York.
In response to the story, Think Big Executive Director Chris Lehane sent a letter to U.S. Attorney Eric Holder. The letter requests the Department of Justice to investigate if the Maloofs’ latest hire is an attempt to “harass and intimidate prominent and respected citizens of the region.”
“Second, given the history of professional sports owners being severely sanctioned for the use of private detectives involved in comparable activities, it would appear that the Maloofs are possibly exposing themselves to sanctions,” reads a portion of Lehane’s letter. “Former New York Yankee owner George Steinbrenner was permanently suspended by Major League Baseball for hiring a private detective to dig up dirt on Dave Winfield.”
Lehane’s letter can be read in its entirety in a link after the jump.
Think Big Sacramento Letter to U.S. Attorney General’s Office
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