DENVER - Colorado's attorney general declined Tuesday to file charges in nine alleged sexual assaults involving Colorado football players, citing concerns about evidence and the reluctance of women to pursue the cases.
Attorney General Ken Salazar, tapped as a special prosecutor by Gov. Bill Owens at the height of the recruiting scandal in February, said a thorough review by his task force resulted in a unanimous decision against charges.
The decision was "based upon evidentiary considerations and-or the expressed wishes of some victims not to be subjected to the criminal justice process," Salazar said.
Salazar, who did not return a call seeking comment, said the probe would remain open. The task force also will continue its investigation concerning other potential criminal matters involving the Colorado football team and its recruiting program.
The university and a Board of Regents panel also are investigating allegations that sex and alcohol were used to entice recruits to the Boulder campus. The regents' panel must finish its work by Friday.
At least eight women had accused players or recruits of rape since 1997, though no criminal charges were filed. The ninth allegation surfaced during the investigation, Salazar spokesman Ken Lane said.
Three of the women have sued the school in federal court, saying its failure to rein in athletes contributed to the rapes in 2001. They claim the rapes constituted a hostile environment for women in violation of federal laws guaranteeing equal access to education. They are seeking unspecified damages.
OTHER FOOTBALL: U.S. Rep. Mark Udall of Colorado asked the NCAA to reconsider its refusal to give Jeremy Bloom a waiver so he can finance his training for the 2006 Olympics. Bloom, a receiver and kick returner for the Buffaloes, says the ban could force him to leave school because he can't afford to continue his freestyle skiing career without endorsements. ... Former Washington coach Jim Lambright has been diagnosed with bladder cancer and will have surgery today to remove his bladder and prostate gland.
BASEBALL: USF scored nine in the second inning and cruised to a 13-3 victory over visiting Stetson.
MEN'S BASKETBALL: Missouri failed to monitor NCAA compliance and violated multiple rules 1999-2003, the organization said in a 19-page formal notice of allegations. One member of the athletic department staff, whose name was taken out of the letter "failed at all times to maintain an environment of NCAA rules compliance." The violations don't include anything related to academic dishonesty or fraud, the school said. If the allegations are validated by the NCAA's Infractions Committee, the school could face recruiting sanctions.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: LSU coach Pokey Chatman was named the Female Coach of the Year by the Black Coaches Association. Chatman led the Tigers to their first NCAA Final Four and guided LSU to a 7-4 record as acting coach. Chatman, a 17-year veteran of the Tigers program, filled in for former coach Sue Gunter, who missed much of the season with an illness. ... Florida coach Carolyn Peck today was named to the USA junior world championship qualifying team staff.
SOFTBALL: FSU senior pitcher/outfielder Jessica van der Linden is a finalist for USA Softball's Collegiate Player of the Year. She joins Mississippi State senior outfielder Iyhia McMichael and Arizona sophomore pitcher Alicia Hollowell. The winner will be announced May 26.
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL: The NCAA has upheld its decision to strip Hawaii of its 2002 national title for using an ineligible player, outside hitter Costas Theocharidis. He must relinquish all individual awards received during the 2002 season. Theocharidis was a two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association national player of the year. He played in more than 20 matches with a professional team in Greece before enrolling at Hawaii in 1999, according to the Honolulu Advertiser.
- Times staff writer Brian Landman contributed to this report.
