Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy asked for an investigation
of Penguins co-Owners Roger Marino and Howard Baldwin to see
if they "could be charged with crimes for collecting
amusement taxes but not forwarding the money to the city
treasury," according to Jon Schmitz of the PITTSBURGH POST-
GAZETTE. Murphy revealed his request at a news conference,
where he said of Marino and Baldwin: "One must question the
future of the franchise under their ownership." Penguins
Interim CEO J. Garvin Warden called the accusations
"preposterous" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/15). Also in
Pittsburgh, Suzanne Elliott writes that Murphy said the city
"will not entertain any additional requests for public
support" until the Penguins "reaffirm their commitment" to
stay in Pittsburgh and "satisfy their tax obligation of
nearly" $1M. Marino said he "would have loved" to pay the
amusement tax, but that "it simply became a choice between
paying the tax and making payroll" (TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 10/15).
SUIT MOVES FORWARD: In Pittsburgh, Jon Schmitz writes
that Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Bernard Markovitz granted
approval for a $2.5M "emergency loan that would allow the
team to meet its payroll today." The 60-day loan will come
from Marino, who will charge the team 8% interest (POST-
GAZETTE, 10/15). Judge Markovitz, before he approved the
terms of the loan: "If anyone thinks these terms are lavish,
put your money on the table." SMG attorney Philip Beard, on
Marino's dual role as lender and owner: "I know of no other
instance where this has happened" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-
REVIEW, 10/15). Also in Pittsburgh, Dave Molinari writes
that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was "adamant" about the
team staying in Pittsburgh: "I don't want anybody to start
speculating that the team is moving because that's the last
thing on our mind" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/15).
