The Duke Lacrosse team is not off the hook.
Durham County’s chief prosecutor said today he will not abandon his investigation into the alleged rape by members of Duke University’s lacrosse team. “A lot has been said in the press, particularly by some attorneys yesterday, that this case should go away,” District Attorney Mike Nifong told a community forum. “My presence here means that this case is not going away.” On Monday, attorneys representing members of the lacrosse team said DNA from the 46 players tested did not match evidence collected from the woman. No charges have been filed in the case, but the D.A. has said he believes a crime occurred at the March 13 party, which according to court records was attended only by lacrosse players- who used aliases to organize the event. The D.A. also indicated that prosecutors had other evidence and were waiting on the results of additional DNA tests. It wasn’t immediately clear what those tests involved. Nifong has also said he doesn’t necessarily need DNA evidence to prosecute. “The fact is that this case is proceeding the way a case should proceed,” Nifong said. **My take? Listen to what is and is NOT being said here- none of the DNA matched the “players”-which leads me to believe that there were other “participants” present and who’s DNA might be the subject of the “additional results?” A doctor and forensic sexual assault nurse examined the woman and found evidence consistent with a rape having occurred, police documents show. Nifong said Tuesday that in 75 to 80 percent of all sexual assault cases, there is no DNA evidence.

RICK TOCCHET UPDATE

Former federal prosecutor Bob Cleary, the independent investigator hired by the NHL to “probe allegations of an illegal gambling ring operated by Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet has yet to uncover any evidence the game’s integrity has been compromised by people betting on league games. Yawn. Cleary has interviewed “almost four dozen” NHL players and team officials, and the initial results suggest the gambling operation is “extremely narrow in focus and essentially extends only to a group of friends and associates close to Tocchet.” A source said that the questions asked “did not delve into the gambling habits of the players beyond whether they had any connection with the Tocchet probe.” The league’s investigation “will be completed only when New Jersey officials proceed with their criminal case, assuming they do move forward against Tocchet.”

NOW WAYNE ROONEY REALLY HAS SOMETHING TO WRITE ABOUT
Speaking of hot athletes who bet, allegations are tagging Englands little bulldog, Wayne Rooney over rumors that he has racked up $1.22 million of gambling debts.

Rooney, on the left, earns an estimated $87,290 a week as a player, and millions more a year from sponsorship deals, and is only one of a number of England players said to be involved in betting on sports other than their own. A spokesman for the 20-year-old Rooney refused to discuss the claim saying: “We have got absolutely no comment to make at all.” The Sunday Mirror said that hottie had run up the debts since the start of the season. He and four hot international teammates were part of what had started out as fun, but Rooney had lost heavily, betting on horses, dogs and soccer matches he was not involved in.

ATHLEBRITY JUDGES ANNOUNCED FOR THE MISS USA PAGEANT.

Steelers WR hot Hines Ward will not participate in the pageant, but will be a judge…along with sexy Gold Medal-winning Olympic speed skater Chad Hedrick. The Miss USA pageant will air live on NBC on April 21.

Former NFLer Eddie George yesterday interviewed for a broadcast position with ESPN…. yummy.

FORMER HOT USC QB PARTY BOY MATT LEINART HAS FIRED LEIGH STEINBERG AS HIS AGENT.

It is unclear why Steinberg was let go. Leinart is repped for marketing purposes by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which last week hired agent Tom Condon after he resigned from IMG. The move by Condon “caused speculation in the industry over Leinart’s next move -– whether he would leave Steinberg to be represented by CAA in entirety or drop his affiliation with CAA to avoid a potential conflict.” Casey Close, who also resigned last week from IMG, has also joined CAA. Close is a lucky bastard who represents more than 70 hot MLBers including Derek Jeter, Derrek Lee and sexy Richie Sexson.

Speaking of the NL batting champion, Derrek Lee…

… this hot athlete (left) has agreed to a $65 million, five-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, a deal expected to be announced today. Also raking in the big money is David Ortiz, (right) who agreed to a hot $52 million, four-year contract extension with the Boston Red Sox yesterday.

Speaking of the Red Sox…

The Yankee Stadium’s team store has stocked up on Yankee lingerie, briefs, bikinis, sarongs, hair bands, tank tops, fitted tees and sportswear separates for women. It’s about time!

I AM WHAT I AM

Sexy Arsenal F Thierry Henry will become the new face of Reeboks ‘I am what I am’ campaign.” Hottie makes the move effective August 1; after Nike’s hoopla around Henry and the FIFA World Cup is complete- Henry plays for the French side in int’l competition. Reebok Brand President & CEO Paul Harrington said, “We will market (Henry) in ways that demonstrate to Europe and the world the perfect fit that lies between Reebok and Thierry. His public stance against racism and his commitment to social issues outside of [soccer] epitomizes our ‘I am what I am’ brand campaign.”

That’s it for now. As always, thanks for reading. Delinda