LA Times: New USC fooball rules violations uncovered in probe of city office

[Playoffs]

Figure in assessor's scandal says he gave gifts to 2 USC athletes

A key figure charged in the L.A. County assessor's office probe says he gave cash and perks to USC football star Joe McKnight and basketball player Davon Jefferson while they were in school. Gifts could be a violation of NCAA rules.

A key figure in the ongoing corruption scandal at the Los Angeles County assessor's office said he gave cash and perks worth thousands of dollars to two USC athletes while they were still in school, actions that could violate college sports rules.

The allegations are contained among hundreds of Scott Schenter's county work emails that suggest the former appraiser provided football star Joe McKnight with a car and an airline ticket, and basketball player Davon Jefferson with about $3,700 in cash. The Times obtained the emails from the assessor's office under the California Public Records Act.

After The Times asked about the alleged payments, officials at USC said they immediately informed the NCAA about the claims.
...
Administrators investigated McKnight and Schenter's relationships in 2009, after the running back was seen driving a $27,000 Land Rover registered to Schenter. School officials said they "fully investigated the matter" at the time and turned their findings over to the NCAA. The disciplinary body "accepted the report, and no violation was processed," according to Haden's statement.
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An agent for McKnight, who now plays for the New York Jets, did not respond to repeated emails and phone calls. A Jets spokesman said he would not pass the newspaper's questions along to McKnight...

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-assessor-usc-20120902,0,2754795.story