CONSPIRACY EXPOS-ED: HOAX LETTER TURNS UP ON TEAM'S WEB SITE

          The Expos' ownership saga took a "bizarre twist"
     yesterday when an "open letter to the city of Montreal"
     purporting to be from Majority Owner Jeffrey Loria "was
     posted on the bulletin board" of the team's Web site,
     according to Jeff Blair of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL.  The
     letter, which ended up being a "hoax," suggested Loria and
     his "feuding" local partners "have concerns about MLB's
     intentions regarding the team."  It was posted "for about
     half an hour" before Expos Dir of Broadcast Marc Griffin
     "removed it at the request of" Optimum Communications, which
     is Loria's PR firm.  Optimum Communications Dir Andre
     Bouthillier, on the letter: "It's pretty well written, but
     it's not from Mr. Loria" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 6/14).