Don King's former accountant, Joseph Maffia, testified
yesterday the promotor's income tripled to $60M after he snared
Mike Tyson as a client, but that King would still not allow any
of his employees sign checks. Greg Logan reports in this
morning's NEWSDAY that Maffia "portrayed the promoter as someone
who kept track of his finances down to the last nickel and show
he was totally involved with insurance claims filed by his
subordinates." Maffia, who was King's controller from '86-91, is
called "the government's version of 'Deep Throat'" by Logan.
Asst. US Attorney Paul Gadephe showed jurors 21 checks ranging in
value from $.05 to $62.22 signed by King. Logan reports this
evidence was given as an example of King's "absolute financial
control" (NEWSDAY, 10/24). ESPN's Jimmy Roberts called Maffia
"clearly the most important witness so far" in the case against
King. ESPN legal analyst Ken Caruso added when defense attorney
Peter Fleming cross-examines Maffia, he must "damage Maffia's
credibility" or "he will have a difficult time with the jury"
("Up Close," ESPN, 10/23).