SLOC trustees "pledged an independent investigation"
into whether bribes were paid to secure the 2002 Winter
Games, according to Lisa Riley Roche of the DESERET NEWS.
SLOC Chair Bob Garff said that the ethics board will "be
given free reign." Garff: "We are not dictating or limiting
the scope of the investigation. What we owe the public is a
complete and thorough report." Roche wrote that the board
will be headed by former UT Supreme Court Chief Justice
Gordon Hall and will finish its work "no later" than
February 11 (DESERET NEWS, 12/20). In Salt Lake City, Mike
Gorrell wrote that the SLOC wants the board to "detail all
payments and gifts handed out by bid boosters and to
determine if they were bribes" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 12/19).
USOC member Howard Peterson: I've seen cover-ups and this
one smells like it has potential" (TORONTO STAR, 12/20).
HEAR NO EVIL, SKI NO EVIL: The SLOC spent "nearly"
$10,000 on skis, shotguns and rifles that "went to people
associated with the Olympics" in the two years prior to
winning the 2002 Games. Six shotgun invoices were directed
to the attention of former SLOC President Tom Welch.
Browning Shotguns President & CEO Don Gobel: "We didn't ask
what they would be used for, and we didn't feel that was a
question to ask" (Guy Boulton, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 12/20).
