Compiled by the Associated Press
From David E. Simmons:
"While I served as chairman of Keystone Communications in the early 1990s, Tom Welch asked me to help Salt Lake City's Olympic bid efforts by hiring John Kim, son of a senior IOC member from Korea, and assisting him in receiving a permanent visa. Mr. Welch, representing the Salt Lake Olympic Bid Committee, further offered to reimburse the cost of John Kim's salary if his work efforts were unsatisfactory. Keystone was subsequently reimbursed the salary costs. In our efforts to assist Kim, and to receive reimbursement for his salary costs, we complied with the requests of Kim, Kim's attorneys and Welch that resulted in incorrect and misleading statements and agreements.
"I sincerely regret and accept responsibility for my participation in acts taken at the request of Welch and Kim, for which I have agreed to plead guilty to a federal misdemeanor. At no time did Keystone or I benefit from our involvement with Welch, Kim or the bid committee. Our involvement was prompted by a sincere desire to assist the bid committee in their efforts. As I have learned more of the collective questionable actions taken by Welch and others, including members of the IOC, I am angered and troubled by the effect these actions have had on our community's reputation. From the outset of investigations into the bid committee, I have fully cooperated with the investigators and look forward to continue cooperating with the government in its efforts to prosecute those responsible.
From the Salt Lake Organizing Committee:
"The current Salt Lake Organizing Committee and the community have been anticipating results from the Department of Justice probe into bid activities.
"As we have stated over the past six months, we are a different organization with a different mission from the former bid committee. It is inappropriate for us to comment on the actions taken by the Justice Department in its probe. We have cooperated in this investigation and await its complete resolution.
"The current Salt Lake Organizing Committee is moving ahead with integrity and operating with fiscal responsibility. This in no way will deter us in our plans to stage an excellent event."
From Gov. Mike Leavitt:
"This is the difficult aftermath of a painful experience for our state. I feel sadness for those who are personally affected. My deepest desire is for this to be resolved for our entire community."
