Former USA Gymnastics doctor LARRY NASSAR has "agreed to plead guilty to federal child pornography charges as part of a deal in which federal prosecutors agree not to pursue more serious sex exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of child charges." Nassar will "plead guilty to receiving child pornography, possessing child pornography and destruction of evidence." JOHN MANLY, an Orange County attorney who represents several of the former gymnasts in civil cases, "criticized the deal, charging that prosecutors gave Nassar a break and that the deal sends a dangerous message to Nassar’s alleged victims and their families and future victims of sexual abuse" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 7/10).
LEADING THE WAY: ESPN.com's Ford & Drehs profiled L.A. Mayor ERIC GARCETTI and Paris Mayor ANNE HIDALGO, who have "gone to great lengths to point out what distinguishes" L.A. and Paris' bids for the '24 Games. Under the header, "The Agents Of Change," Ford & Drehs noted the two mayors have "changed" the Olympic bid process. Both bids "have a lot in common," as they "rely on existing facilities, emphasize what will be left behind and focus on environmental and social issues." Meanwhile, if Garcetti cannot come to terms with the IOC, he said that he "won't hesitate to walk away from the bid." Or "just go" for '24 with the plan "as it stands." Garcetti: "I don't want the Olympics at any price. I won't accept these Games if they put the city at debt or in risk. ... If the Olympics can't produce that, not only should we walk away from that, but I think it means most cities will continue to walk away" (ESPN.com, 7/9).
NICE GUYS FINISH FIRST: Padres co-Owner PETER SEIDLER will be introduced as the Nice Guys of San Diego's '17 "Nice Guy of the Year" at a Wednesday press conference, then honored at the nonprofit’s gala Oct. 28. Seidler moved to the San Diego area after becoming a part owner of the team in '12, and has "quickly immersed himself in local causes" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 7/8).
NAMES: CHRIS BOSH has "written an open letter to Miami, thanking the city for supporting him for the past seven years" as a member of the Heat. Bosh, who was waived by the team, published the letter yesterday "without any mention of his current health or plans for his future" (AP, 7/9)....Before Saturday's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400, Kentucky Gov. MATT BEVIN “joined three soldiers in rappelling from a Black Hawk helicopter” onto Kentucky Speedway’s infield. Bevin “carried the starter’s green flag for the race, and the governor also was the honorary pace car driver.” Bevin is a former U.S. Army Captain (CINCINNATI.com, 7/9)....Celtics Managing Partner & CEO WYC GROUSBECK and his wife, EMILIA FAZZALARI, welcomed newly acquired Celtics F GORDON HAYWARD and his wife, ROBYN, to Boston with a dinner at Strega Waterfront on Friday (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/10)....About 600 beauty industry professionals, business owners and students attended a speech given by Lakers President of Basketball Operations MAGIC JOHNSON yesterday in a Mandalay Bay ballroom as part of the Cosmoprof North America conference (REVIEWJOURNAL.com, 7/9).
IN MEMORY: LOUISE SOLHEIM, the wife of late PING Golf Founder KARSTEN SOLHEIM, “died Saturday morning in Phoenix at the age of 99." Her cause of death is not known. Along with PING, she “played a prominent role" in the creation of the Solheim Cup, the bi-annual women's golf team competition (AZCENTRAL.com, 7/8)....CFL Calgary Stampeders OT GEORGE HANSEN “died Friday.” In accordance to his wishes, his family “agreed to donate his brain” to the Canadian Concussion Centre at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre in Toronto (GLOBE & MAIL, 7/8)
