Report Says Reggie Bush's Parents Given $100,000
The money allegedly was provided by investors in a marketing company that wanted to sign him

The parents of former USC football star Reggie Bush received $100,000 in cash from investors in a sports marketing company that hoped to sign the running back, an attorney for the investors said in a letter obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Attorney Brian Watkins told the newspaper on Friday that Reggie Bush's parents, LaMar and Denise Griffin, asked for the money partly to resolve financial problems. Watkins said the money included an initial payment of about $30,000 to help start up the New Era Sports and Entertainment agency.

Watkins said the money was disbursed throughout 2005 and was given on more than one occasion at the home of Lloyd Lake, an investor in the company and a documented gang member. Watkins described him as a longtime friend of Reggie Bush's.

Watkins described the $100,000 in disbursements in a letter dated Feb. 13 in which he asked David Cornwell, the Reggie Bush family's attorney, if USC should be included in settlement discussions.

"We would not object to their (USC's) participation as we understand their wanting to be involved due to the fact this matter was ongoing during their Championship season of 2004 as well as the entire season of 2005, and any lawsuit filed might have an adverse effect on them," Watkins' letter said.

USC spokesman Tim Tessalone said he was unaware of the letter and declined comment.

The content of the letter was reported hours after the Houston Texans, who had the first overall selection in Saturday's draft, passed on Reggie Bush and signed North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams. Reggie Bush was taken second overall by the New Orleans Saints.

Watkins said earlier this week that Reggie Bush's parents didn't pay $54,000 in rent during the year they lived in a house owned by a sports marketing agency investor who wanted to represent the football star.

Reggie Bush's mother and stepfather had agreed to pay landlord Michael Michaels $4,500 in monthly rent when they moved into the Spring Valley house Michaels owned. Michaels said the Griffins told him they eventually would pay him rent from Reggie Bush's earnings when he went pro.

Watkins said he plans to file a fraud lawsuit against Reggie Bush's parents and possibly Reggie Bush. David Cornwell, the Bush family attorney, did not return phone calls for comment.

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