March 11, 2000
A big development in the Olympic scandal story.
The first new charges since last September are expected to be filed next week against a key insider.
News Specialist John Daley is following this story.
That new indictment is expected to be filed against former USOC official Alfredo Lamont, and is certainly the most significant indictment so far.
He's expected to enter a plea agreemen, and given his role as a middleman, he could be in a position to provide key information.
In 2002, will Olympic venues include not just sites for athletic competion, but also the federal courthouse?
That's a very real question now.
Eyewitness News has confirmed that a federal criminal charge is expected to be filed this week against former U.S.O.C. official Alfredo Lamont.
After the scandal broke, Lamont resigned from his post as the USOC's director of international relations.
A source close to the investigation says Lamont will enter a plea agreement, in exchange for cooperating with investigators.
That source also says the charge--or charges--are felonies.
Lamont did not return phone calls today.
A Justice Department spokesperson says "we cannot confirm or deny" whether any new indictments are coming.
In the late 80s, Lamont was associated with a pair of "consulting" companies called CITIUS and ARCA, which helped Salt Lake lobby or influence the votes of IOC members.
He reportedly earned more than $63,000 for providing information on and setting up meetings with members of the IOC.
Given his role as an intermediary between Salt Lake Olympic bid leaders and the IOC, his cooperation could be key if the Justice strategy is to pursue other higherups both locally and internationally.
A source tells me court proceedings involving Alfredo Lamont are expected to happen this week--probably Tuesday.
