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Russian Mobster Claims Case A "Farce"
The reputed Russian mobster charged in an Olympics Skating scandal says the case against him is a "farce." And there is more fallout from Europe today.
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(Aug. 2, 2002)------The reputed Russian mobster charged in an Olympics Skating scandal says the case against him is a "farce."
And there is more fallout from Europe today.
The French are now reacting to charges a Russian mobster fixed the outcome of the skating competition at the Winter Olympics.
The head of the French Skating Federation, Didier Gailhaguet [dee-dee-ay GY'-yah-gay] says he's "shocked and scandalized" by the allegations.
He says he had nothing to do with the man "before, during or after" the Winter Games.
Gailhaguet does acknowledge the Russian contacted the French Skating Federation--but he says it was about a possible partnership on a Paris hockey club--and he says it didn't go anywhere.
Italian police arrested Alimzhan Tokhtakhounov [ah-LEEM'-zahn tohk-TAHK'-uh-nuhv] based on wiretap conversations.
They say he may have contacted at least six Olympic judges to arrange a deal to influence the results of two skating events.
Meantime--the Russian Olympic figure skating champions say they're planning to sue U-S television networks for using pictures of them in coverage of the alleged mobster.
Meantime--the FBI says it is still investigating--looking to see if the tentacles of the Russian mob may be reaching other Olympic competitions as well.
