Haden's possible involvement with William Singer is the focus of a federal investigationGETTY IMAGES
A source said that federal investigators are examining whether former USC AD PAT HADEN "played a role in the national college-admissions cheating scheme." The source said that investigators are "looking at" Haden's relationship to WILLIAM "RICK" SINGER, the "mastermind behind the scam." It "couldn't be determined" whether Haden "might face criminal exposure." Haden's son-in-law, DONNIE DIXON HADEN, said that his father-in-law "hadn't been contacted by federal authorities" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/6). Questions about Haden's "possible involvement with Singer have swirled since prosecutors detailed in court papers the role one of his former deputies at USC," former Senior Associate AD DONNA HEINEL, "allegedly played in helping Singer sneak the children of wealthy clients into USC by falsely claiming they were recruited athletes." Heinel has "pleaded not guilty to the racketeering conspiracy charge she faces in the case" (L.A. TIMES, 6/6).
HITTING THE TOWN: The "highest rollers" to PRESIDENT TRUMP's re-election drive -- chaired by Cubs co-Owner TODD RICKETTS -- will visit Chicago on Friday for a "Trump Victory Committee Summer Retreat" featuring White House Acting Chief of Staff MICK MULVANEY and Security of the Interior DAVID BERNHARDT. The donors on Saturday night will then head to Wrigley Field for Cardinals-Cubs. The other "special guests" listed in the invitation include Cubs co-Owner and Nebraska Gov. PETE RICKETTS (CHICAGO.SUNTIMES.com, 6/5).
GOLDEN STATE OF MIND: BEYONCE and JAY-Z attended Raptors-Warriors Game 3 last night, and were "sitting next" to Warriors co-Owner JOE LACOB and his wife, NICOLE CURRAN (MERCURYNEWS.com, 6/5). Meanwhile, Oakland Councilwoman NIKKI FORTUNATO BAS yesterday "blamed a staff error for a form claiming free tickets for herself and a family member to the city’s Oracle Arena luxury suite" for a potential Raptors-Warriors Game 6, to be played June 13. City of Oakland officials who use those tickets at the venue jointly owned by the city and county "must declare an official purpose for attending, such as to inspect the facility's operations or rewarding community volunteers and students" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 6/6).
NAMES: SAMUEL L. JACKSON, TIFFANY HADDISH, CHARLES BARKLEY, ISSA RAE, ASHLEY GRAHAM and AMANDA SEALES will be among the presenters at the NBA Awards show on June 24. The show will air on TNT (NBA)....Ohio State football coach RYAN DAY and his wife, CHRISTINA, have "joined Nationwide Children's Hospital ‘On Our Sleeves’ movement that helps with childhood mental health" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 6/6)....Rock band GHOST HOUNDS, which features Steelers investor THOMAS TULL, will open for the ROLLING STONES July 3 at FedExField in DC (POST-GAZETTE.com, 6/5).
