More than three years after it began its investigation into alleged improprieties involving former Southern Cal running back Reggie Bush, the NCAA could be the beneficiary of a court ruling that went down yesterday, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Bush and his lawyers had sought to have a lawsuit settled in (forced into) private arbitration. A state appellate court ruled that Lloyd Lake‘s lawsuit against Bush and his parents could proceed, opening the doors for the NCAA to get long-sought testimony -- and potentially evidence -- in the case.
Lake’s lawsuit stems from his relationship with the Bush family earlier this decade, and Lake claims that he gave the family money and gifts while the back was a Trojan in an effort to become Bush’s agent when he turned pro.
Lake’s attorney told the Los Angeles Times after this ruling that now the lawsuit “will play out in open court for the public to see”, which is potentially distressing news for both Bush and head coach Pete Carroll.
Attorney Brian Watkins said he would look to have Bush and Carroll, among others, deposed as soon as possible. Those depositions would then be available for public scrutiny.
And for the NCAA to scrutinize and possibly use in their own investigation, which has largely been viewed as a farce by both the media and fans alike.
Now maybe, with this latest development, the NCAA can conclude their investigation at some point before Bush’s grandson enrolls at USC.