DEBARTOLO INDICTMENT DELAYED AS PROSECUTORS READY CASE

          Federal prosecutors are "delaying any gambling
     corruption indictments" against 49ers co-Owner EDWARD
     DEBARTOLO, JR., Former LA Gov. EDWIN EDWARDS and four others
     so investigators "can bolster their case," according to
     Kevin Fagan of the S.F. CHRONICLE.  Under a deal reached
     between U.S. attorneys and Edwards' defense team, "no
     charges would be filed before January 1."  A source
     "familiar with the investigation" said the postponement
     gives the prosecution time "to secure cooperation from
     crucial witnesses," and that among the topics being explored
     is "determining whether a payment of nearly $400,000" which
     Edwards says he received from DeBartolo as a "consultant
     fee" was made in CA, CO, or LA.  This "point is important"
     because if an illegal transaction occurred outside LA, it
     would be prosecuted where it took place.  Prosecutors want
     to try the case outside Edwards' home state of LA since he
     "remains popular" there (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/10).