Docs: Federal Letter That Brought Down Buckeyes

Here are the previously unseen images of a copy of the actual U.S. Department of Justice letter that alerted Ohio State officials in 2010 to Buckeye football player-only memorabilia that had been seized from Columbus Tattoo Parlor Owner and drug dealer Edward Rife by federal agents.

Department of Justice Letter Detailing Ohio State Memorabilia Seized From Tattoo Parlor Owner Edward Rife

It was the revelations contained in these federal - and now public - documents that broke the seal on the NCAA’s case against the Ohio State football program and head coach Jim Tressel and the subsequent, self-imposed NCAA penalties to follow. (Penalties that may soon be be increased.)

Department of Justice Letter Detailing Ohio State Memorabilia Seized From Tattoo Parlor Owner Edward Rife

Department of Justice Letter Detailing Ohio State Memorabilia Seized From Tattoo Parlor Owner Edward Rife

Department of Justice Letter Detailing Ohio State Memorabilia Seized From Tattoo Parlor Owner Edward Rife

Department of Justice Letter Detailing Ohio State Memorabilia Seized From Tattoo Parlor Owner Edward Rife

Department of Justice Letter Detailing Ohio State Memorabilia Seized From Tattoo Parlor Owner Edward Rife

Department of Justice Letter Detailing Ohio State Memorabilia Seized From Tattoo Parlor Owner Edward Rife

Department of Justice Letter Detailing Ohio State Memorabilia Seized From Tattoo Parlor Owner Edward Rife

Department of Justice Letter Detailing Ohio State Memorabilia Seized From Tattoo Parlor Owner Edward Rife

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12 comments

  1. GravatarAnonymous
    9:54 pm on May 15th, 2011

    Lol

  2. GravatarAnonymous
    10:29 pm on May 15th, 2011

    WOW!!! Honestly, I could care less about what happens to who when all is said and done…it’s not my call, obviously….but, how can the President of “The” Ohio State University, Mr. Gee, not be held responsible??? For a guy who likes to speak his mind…a lot…he sure has been really quiet with so much crap coming out of this toilet-bowl of a situation!

  3. GravatarR.H.
    11:23 pm on May 15th, 2011

    Because Gee loves self-promotion and anything that lets him get in front of the camera to espouse how he is a crusader to clean up Division I-A athletics is about as hollow as a Jim Tressel lie.

    Gee also knows that unlike one of his last stops, Vanderbilt, Ohio State is a money-making giant when it comes to name recognition and reputation.

  4. GravatarScruffy
    4:31 am on May 16th, 2011

    Pales in comparison to Auburn.

    The AD, Jay Jacobs was the president of the slush fund(Tigers Unlimited) before Bobby Lowder bestowed the title of Athletic Director on him…..lol

    As bad as Ohio St. problem is, wait till Auburn starts stuttering.

  5. GravatarScruffy
    5:33 am on May 16th, 2011

    This is rapidly approaching a level of administrative cover-up not seen since the SMU days with the Governor of TX!

  6. GravatarJoe
    8:04 am on May 16th, 2011

    cbus where are you…? wake up!! I need to read your latest delusional take on this matter.

    As I said yesterday, it is amazing how forthcoming a person or school can get when US Justice Department gets involved. A toothless letter from the NCAA….not so much.

    Amazingly, it still took another 4 months for tOSU to “kind of” come clean. No wonder your state is such an economic hell-hole. It does not appear that you, the students and the graduates of tOSU are very bright.

  7. Gravatarjamaltimore
    8:48 am on May 16th, 2011

    funny how they’ve been able to say all along that these guys just traded their rings for tatoo’s yet the guy they traded with is a DRUG DEALER! I guess that’s the next chip to fall on ole choir boy tressel.

  8. GravatarDavid
    11:22 am on May 16th, 2011

    Scruffy:
    As has been said numerous times on this site before, where is the proof against Auburn? Amazing how you can take this article about OSU and go after Auburn. Granted the NCAA is still has on open investigation but to date, nothing has been proven.

    Not trying to sound condescending, just asking the question.

  9. GravatarDavid
    12:16 pm on May 16th, 2011

    bj: I disagree that scruffy may be a member of the REC as the assumption that Auburn is guilty of anything is not only the perception of Alabama fans but the general public. The media has done a great job of spreading rumors, innuendo, and half-truths to their own advantage in paiting Auburn in a negative light. I find it curious that they fail to report that for all of their allegations nothing has been proven. For example you don’t hear anything from Thayer Evans about Auburn anymore. I must admit Brooks has even appeared to be open to the fact that not everything said against Auburn is true.

  10. Gravatarbj
    12:33 pm on May 16th, 2011

    david, he must be a red elephant club member!!! lol

  11. GravatarMPGA
    8:02 am on May 17th, 2011

    Dayam…eBay State University.

    Growing up in Ohio, you come to know certain things about the state, one of which is the nefarious character of Youngstown. At least THAT reputation is unscathed !!!

    Time to vest up, Coach. If you really care about the players, you won’t take them down (further) with you.

  12. Gravatarian
    8:44 pm on May 17th, 2011

    come on scruff who do you take us for. are you saying that cecil admitting he tried to sell his son is not evidence? just because you have the NZAA lying and cheating for you does not make it ok. the only thing holding everyone back is a certain trial. i have a feeling a little more than Auburn will be exposed here.

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