Timeline – original

Brothers Norbert and Walter Meyer purchase their father’s “Soldier Meyer’s Brooklyn Bop House” jazz club. ¹

They rename it to “Norby & Walter’s Bel-Air.”

The club’s origin story asserts that the ampersand between Norby and Walter did not work on the neon sign for the new nightclub so it became known as “Norby Walters Bel-Air.”

Soon after, Norbert Meyer changed his name to Norby Walters and Walter Meyer changed his name to Walter Walters.

Norby and Walter Walters open “Norby Walters’ Supper Club” on East 60th Street in New York City, next door to the Copacabana. ²

The club became the unofficial headquarters of the Colombo mafia family crew headed by capo John “Sonny” Franzese.

Sonny Franzese was a partner in the “Norby Walters Supper Club.” ³

The two families socialized and once vacationed together. ^{4 5 6}

“Norby Walters was ‘with’ Sonny Franzese. When a businessman is ‘with’ someone, it
means he has a godfather, a gladiator who will protect him from anyone looking to move in on his business and into his pocket. Norby was Sonny’s guy, an associate of the Colombo
family, and that status made him “hands off” to anyone on the street. For this backup, Norby passed on a piece of the action to the Colombo family.” ⁷

“Sometime after midnight, [licensee’s maitre d’ William] Rockwell introduced [Patrolman] Gray to one Michele Pagan who after being assured by Rockwell that there was nothing wrong with Gray and after so assuring herself went with him from the bar to a table in the rear after first giving her handbag to the bartender for safekeeping .

At the table, Gray purchased two rounds of alcoholic beverages for himself and the girl on credit using a credit card . At the table, Gray was solicited for purposes of prostitution, the girl suggesting that he obtain a room at the hotel, after first giving him a thorough “toss”, i.e., a search designed to ascertain if he were carrying a gun and thus was a policeman, and after telling him that she would not do any kissing around his private parts.

Subsequently, the girl was convicted in Criminal Court on her plea of guilty of offering to commit prostitution.

Upon such findings, I conclude that the premises did become disorderly as charged.” ⁸

As a result of these violations, Walters’ nightclub lost its liquor license and closed.

Consequently, Norby Walters started his entertainment agent business. ⁹

Michael Franzese, son of John “Sonny” Franzese, quits Hofstra University after his junior year to join the Colombo mafia family, where his father is a caporegime (captain).

Michael Franzese was a biology major in the pre-med program. ¹⁰

In early 1975, Norby Walters began to pay Michael Franzese directly for the mafia’s cut of Walters’ revenue. Prior to this time, payments were made via Joe Broncata.

Walters continued to pay Michael Franzese directly until 1979.

The amounts ranged from $250 to $500 per week (worth $1,430 to $2,900 today). ¹¹

Michael Franzese becomes a made member of the Italian mafia Colombo Family.

“The oath, we were told, included the following:

* Keep the secrets and traditions you will hear and learn about.

* Do not violate another member’s wife, sister, or daughter.

* Never raise your hand against another member.

* Carry out orders.

* La Cosa Nostra comes before anything and everything in your life.

“Michael Franzese, do you accept and understand the blood oath and blood tie of La Cosa Nostra?” DiBella asked.

‘Yes,’ I answered solemnly.” ¹²

At a meeting at the Stage Deli in Manhattan, Colombo mafia family capo John “Sonny” Franzese confirms with Norby Walters that they were 50/50 partners in Walters’ entertainment agent business.

Michael Franzese attended the meeting.

Subsequent to this meeting, Walters made his weekly payments to directly to Sonny or John Jr. Franzese. ¹³

Michael Franzese becomes a Caporegime (captain) of the Italian mafia Colombo Family.

This position is similar to a Vice President in a corporate structure.

“I received a call requesting my presence at a designated house in Brooklyn.

When I arrived, I was greeted by Jimmy Angellino and other family members. “The boss says he wants to make it official,” Angellino said. “You are now a captain in La Cosa Nostra. Congratulations, Michael.”

Becoming a caporegime meant I could officially be the leader of a band of soldiers and associates.

But the new title gave me increased authority, more recognition among the made men and mob associates on the street, and more power in dealing with members of other families.

It also meant that, along with recruiting my own crew, made men soldiers would also be assigned to my command.” ¹⁴

Bayside defeated Abraham Lincoln, 48-31, yesterday, to capture its third Public Schools Athletic League championship in a row.

For the Commodores, now 10-0, it was the sixth P.S.A.L. title in the 11 years since the playoff system began.

Bayside struck with its best weapons, Lonnie Bellamy, the running back, and the Harmon brothers, Kevin, the junior quarterback, and Ronnie, the senior running back. ¹⁵

As pretty as St. John the Baptist quarterback Joe Gagliardi’s passes were, as breathtaking as Bayside halfback Ronnie Harmon’s runs were, let it be known that yesterday’s Metro Bowl was not merely an offensive display. Forget that six touchdowns were scored in St. John the Baptist’s 22-21 victory. Forget that Gagliardi completed 20 of 42 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns. Forget that Harmon seemed to break a tackle for each pass Gagliardi attempted, accumulating 257 total yards and two touchdowns.

“The key was that we controlled Ronnie Harmon,” Gamble said. “We stopped him from running some big plays-and that made the difference.”

Not that the Bayside senior didn’t run some pretty big plays anyway. If the Cougars had forgotten about his uncanny ability to elude sure tackles, Harmon wasted little time reminding them. He took the opening kickoff 63 yards, setting up Lonnie Bellamy’s 10-yard touchdown run before the game was two minutes old. “We kicked it to the wrong man,” Gamble said.

Then, after Gagliardi marched the Cougars for touchdowns on successive drives, it was Harmon again. This time, he caught a screen pass from his brother Kevin at midfield, spun away from a linebacker and ran untouched for a 62-yard touchdown to tie the score at 14.

And there was more: Midway through the third quarter, he caught another screen, from St. John’s 15, and darted through a maze of defenders along the right sideline for the score that gave Bayside its 21-14 lead. ¹⁶

This season, Harmon’s statistics finally are as flashy as his running style: 731 yards on 104 in Bayside’s 10-1 season. Of course, the 6-1, 190-pounder has earned the coaches’ selection as Newsday’s Queens Player of the Year for more than just his seven-yard rushing average.

There were the 10 interceptions, the 22 receptions for 470 yards, the 35-yard kickoff-return average, the 22-yard punt-return average, the 18 touchdowns, the 31-yard punting average, the leadership so important on a team that has won Public Schools Athletic League titles in all three of his varsity seasons.

Harmon gives credit to his offensive line for his improvement. “I wish I was rich,” he said. “I’d take them all out to dinner, like everyone else does. Without them, I couldn’t have done it.”

When a school tells me they want me as a defensive back, I say to myself, ‘I don’t care. It’s a college. I’m going for my education first.’” ¹⁷

Ronnie Harmon signs a National Letter of Intent to play for the University of Iowa and receives a full scholarship. ¹⁸

Michael Franzese expands his operation to Florida to get involved in movie production. ¹⁹

Ex-bouncer and high school football player Lloyd Bloom proposes forming a sports agent business to Norby Walters.

They name the sports agent business World Sports & Entertainment.

“In the spring of 1984, Bloom was working for his father’s credit and collections business in Westchester County, N.Y., and promoting “theme nights” at glitzy Manhattan discos.

The work was fine, but Bloom, 24 years old, was itching for a change. “I wanted to become a sports agent,” he said.

Why?

“Because I felt agents weren’t doing right by the athletes. They were really ripping them off.”

Bloom could not afford to bankroll his own business, so he called on Walters, whom he had met six years earlier at a Gloria Gaynor-Village People concert.

“I said, ‘Norby, you’re No. 1 in black music. Your company is a very legit company. Very big. Why not expand it to sports?’ ” Bloom recalled.

“Norby liked the idea. He said, ‘Great.’ I said, ‘I’ll do the legwork, and you fund the business.’

He said, ‘Fine.’ ” ²⁰

Michael Franzese moves to Los Angeles. His goal is to grow his film production business. ²¹

At a meeting at the Polo Lounge of the Beverly Hills Hotel, Norby Walters asks Michael Franzese to participate in the new sports agent business Walters is starting with Lloyd Bloom. ²²

Franzese later related to the FBI, “[Norby] said that, like his entertainment [agent] business, he wanted to deal only with black athletes, and he wanted to sign the biggest stars, represent them in their professional contracts as well as their endorsements.” ²³

Colombo mafia family capo Michael Franzese gets mafia Don approval for Franzese’s plan to build “an army” of college and professional athletes under mafia control to fix games for gambling profits.

“My interest when l took it back to the boss of my family was … ‘look we’re going to be around players.

What better way to get close to the players.

It’ll benefit us in the gambling industry.’

He said, ‘Go for it.’ ” ²⁴

Colombo mafia family capo Michael Franzese agrees to a partnership in Norby Walters’ sports agent business. ²⁵

In 1989 court testimony, Franzese testified under oath:

Q. And what was said at this meeting?

A. Norby went into the business arrangement in further detail. I believe he told me he had started a company.

He explained to me at that time that he would be using cash to sign a lot of these athletes, and he asked me at that time to partic1pate on a cash basis.

Q. What did he ask for?

A. He asked for $50,000 [worth $141,000 today]. ²⁶

Q. And what if anything were you to receive in return for the $50,000?

A. 25 percent of the business.

Q. Were you to perform ny other services in connection with this?

A. I would continue to perform the service that I had always performed for him, yes.

Q. Was there any talk at that meeting about when the $50,000 would be returned or how it would be returned?

A. Yes. He said that if things went well, it should be returned within a year. ²⁷


Full Michael Franzese testimony transcript is here: http://1986rosebowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1989-03-14-case-88-CR-00709-Franzese-testimony-transcript-TITLE-OCR.pdf

Ronnie Harmon flies to New York City and meets with Norby Walters.

Walters paid for the trip, including a limousine trip from the airport to Walters’s office and on to Harmon’s parent’s home. ²⁸

Ronnie Harmon signed a contract with Norby Walters and Lloyd Bloom in violation of NCAA rules.

Harmon also accepted $2,500 (worth $7,000 today) in cash and agreed to receiving additional monthly payments of $250 (worth $700 today).

Jesse Harmon, Ronnie’s father, was present at the meeting.

The Harmon’s secretly made an audio recording of the meeting. ²⁹

Norby Walters sends Ronnie Harmon $250 (worth $705 today) via Western Union. ³⁰

Norby Walters sends Ronnie Harmon $200 (worth $565 today) via Western Union. ³¹

Norby Walters sends Ronnie Harmon $600 (worth $1,690 today) via Western Union. ³²

[Iowa State’s Tracy] Henderson was selected by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 1985 draft.

In the midst of contract negotiations, Walters invited Giant General Manager George Young to his office on Broadway.

“A nice man,” Walters said of Young. “When he came to my office, he looked around and said, ‘There’s no question in my mind that in 24 months you’ll be the biggest agent in sports. You can’t be this (a successful entertainment agent) and not be that (a successful sports agent).’ ”

Walters later invited Young to a party at Visage, a Manhattan disco. “There were 2,000 people wall-to-wall, just everybody in show business,” Walters recalled. “And these were only my closest and dearest friends. George couldn’t believe that a businessman would throw a party for 2,000 people and be surrounded by stars all over the place.” ³³

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Dan Webb resigns to join a private law firm.³⁴

He was followed in the U.S. Attorney’s office by Anton Valukas.

They would later face off in a federal courtroom in the Walters and Bloom case.

Webb led Bloom’s defense and Valukas, as U.S. Attorney, led the prosecution.

They worked together earlier in their careers and still took an annual fishing trip together. ³⁵

Norby Walters sends Ronnie Harmon $500 (worth $1,410 today) via Western Union. ³⁶

One day later, Norby Walters sends Ronnie Harmon another $500 (worth $1,410 today) via Western Union. ³⁷

Michael Franzese gets remarried in Los Angeles. ³⁸

Norby Walters sends Ronnie Harmon $250 (worth $705 today) via Western Union. ³⁹

Colombo mafia family capo Michael Franzese provides an initial $50,000 (worth $141,000 today) to Norby Walters ⁴⁰

In 1989 court testimony, Franzese testified under oath:

Q. And who gave something to Mr. Walters?

A. My bother-in-law, Dino.

Q. And what was it that he gave to Mr. Walters?

A. It was a bag with money inside.

Q. What type of bag?

A. Brown paper bag.

Q. And how much money was inside?

A. $50,000.

Q. In what form?

A. Cash.

Q. Where did that money come from?

A. Came from me.

Q. Why didn’t you carry the bag in?

A. I just — because of the problems I had, I just never carried money on me in that amount.

Q. What was the $50,000 for?

A. It was for my participation in the sports agency business. ⁴¹


Full Michael Franzese testimony transcript is here: http://1986rosebowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1989-03-14-case-88-CR-00709-Franzese-testimony-transcript-TITLE-OCR.pdf

Ronnie Harmon certifies to the NCAA that he is eligible.

Specifically, he certified, “I am not aware of any violations of NCAA regulations involving me and my institution” on the “National Collegiate Athletic Association Student Athlete Statement, 1985-86 Academic Year” form. ⁴²


In 1989 court testimony, Harmon testified under oath:

Q. Let me ask you to focus your attention to Paragraph 5. What does it state there?

A. “I am not aware of any violations of NCAA regulations involving me and my institution.”

Q. You certified that that was true; is that correct?

A. Yes.

Q. Was that statement true?

A. No.

Q. Why not?

A. Because I signed early in March of ’85.

Q. At the time you signed this statement in August of 1985, did you know that the form was false?

A. Yes.


Full Ronnie Harmon testimony transcript is here: http://1986rosebowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1989-03-07-case-88-CR-00709-Harmon-testimony-transcript-TITLE-OCR.pdf

Ronnie Harmon certifies to the Big Ten that he is eligible and has not signed with an agent or received any money. ⁴³


In 1989 court testimony, Harmon testified under oath:

Q. I’m sorry. At the top it says, “Name;” is that right? “Big Ten Conference Statement of Eligibility,” Government Exhibit 3-A?

Q. Let me ask you it you would, is that your signature at the bottom?

A. Yes.

Q. And then it’s also signed by Coach Fry and Mr. Mims?

A. Yes.

Q. Okay. Let me ask you if you would to focus on Question 7. What does that question ask?

A. “Have you ever signed a professional athletic contract in your sport or been represented by an agent?”

Q. How did you answer that question?

A. “No.”

Q. Was that answer truthful?

A. No.


Q. Now, let me ask you to turn to the flip side of that document, which ls the next page in the exhibit book. That’s actually marked Government Exhibit 3-B, right?

A. Yes.

Q. Okay. That’s the Big Ten Conference Statement of Financial support?

A. Yes.

Q. What was the purpose of that form?

A. To see where you was getting your money from, if you was working or if you had any loans from the school.

Q. Under the section that’s marked “Loans,” what did you write?

A. That I didn’t receive any.

Q. Was that answer correct?

A. No.

Q. Why not?

A. Because l received $2500 and was given $250 a month.

Q. And then under “Other,” they ask for other forms of income. And you didn’t list any additional money for payments that you had received from Mr. Bloom or Walters; is that right?

A. Yes.

Q. Why didn’t you report the monies that you had received from Mr. Walters and Mr. Bloom?

A. Because then I would have been ineligible to receive scholarship money and probably been kicked off the football team.

Q. And focusing now on Paragraph 5 of that document, did you certify upon penalty of ineligibility for intercollegiate athletics and loss of your financial aid that those statements
were true and correct?

A. Yes.

Q. And they weren’t, were they?

A. No.


Full Ronnie Harmon testimony transcript is here: http://1986rosebowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1989-03-07-case-88-CR-00709-Harmon-testimony-transcript-TITLE-OCR.pdf

Norby Walters sends Ronnie Harmon $250 (worth $705 today) via Western Union. ⁴⁴

Norby Walters sends Ronnie Harmon $250 (worth $705 today) via Western Union. ⁴⁵

Norby Walters sends Ronnie Harmon $250 (worth $705 today) via Western Union. ⁴⁶

Knowing that he was about to be indicted, Michael Franzese tells Norby Walters to contact Frank Campione if Walters needs anything while Michael Franzese is incarcerated.

In 1989 testimony, Franzese testified under oath:

Q. When were you put into custody and when did you go to the halfway house?

A. I went into custody on December 20, 1985, and after I entered into the plea agreement in March, I was put into a halfway house on March 26, I believe, 1986.

Q. Prior to March of 1986, did you have occasion to have a conversation with Mr. Walters about a person by the name of Frank Campione?

A. Yes.

Q. Who was he?

A. He was a close friend and an associate of mine and my father’s.

Q. Was he associated with the Colombo family?

A. Yes.

Q. Where did that conversation occur?

A. I believe it was someplace in Manhattan. I believe it was in Norby’s office.

Q. To the best of your recollection, was anybody else present besides you and Mr. Walters?

A. No. Not that I recall.

Q. At the time you had this conversation, did you know that you were going to be indicted?

A. Yes.

Q. And to the best of your recollection, what did you say to Mr. Walters and what did Mr. Walters say to you?

A. I told Norby that if he had any problems in the future to be in touch with Frankie. ⁴⁷


Full Michael Franzese testimony transcript is here: http://1986rosebowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1989-03-14-case-88-CR-00709-Franzese-testimony-transcript-TITLE-OCR.pdf

Norby Walters sends Ronnie Harmon $250 (worth $705 today) via Western Union. ⁴⁸

Norby Walters sends Ronnie Harmon $250 (worth $705 today) via Western Union. ⁴⁹

Norby Walters sends Ronnie Harmon $250 (worth $705 today) via Western Union. ⁵⁰

Authorities in two states yesterday accused Michael Franzese of Brookville of operating multimillion-dollar schemes that defrauded banks, oil companies, car manufacturers and state governments Federal prosecutor said that their investigation also established that Franzese, the 34-year-old stepson of a once-prominent organized crime figure, has become a major racketeer in his own right.

The first set of charges, a 28-count indictment, was handed up around noon by a federal grand jury in Brooklyn against Franzese and eight other persons identified as the “Franzese group.” The indictment alleged that the group skimmed millions of dollars in sometimes violent, often complicated plots against such corporations as Mobil Oil, Citicorp, Beneficial Commercial Corp., the Chevrolet Division of General Motors, Mazda Motors of America and Chemical Bank.

Those charges for the first time linked Franzese to a scheme that has cost New York state an estimated $250 million in sales tax revenue.
Charged along with Franzese yesterday was Lawrence Iorizzo, the former head of Vantage Petroleum Corp., who has been convicted of federal charge of tax, mail and wire fraud and who has become a government witness in
the federal witness-protection program. ⁵¹

Michael Franzese, accused in two states of multimillion-dollar schemes that defrauded Florida and some of the nation’s largest firms, surrendered yesterday to a lone state trooper in a fast-food restaurant after federal agents had searched fruitlessly for him for 32 hours.

But the unshaven, casually dressed Franzese – who politely thanked Broward County Court Judge Lawrence Corda after Corda set bail on state charges at $124,000 – wound up in federal hands anyway.

After a bondsman posted his bail, the 34-year-old racketeering suspect was handcuffed and turned over to FBI agents who arrested him on federal charges. ⁵²

Iowa assistant coach Bernie Wyatt:

“Ronnie can literally be surrounded … and get out of it somehow”


Ronnie Harmon:

“I run pretty close to the person I am.”

“You can’t let people distract you and pull you off the course that you’ve set for yourself.”

“I want to do something really good when I get out of here” ⁵³

In addition to the Western Union payments, Norby Walters spent $15,657 (worth $44,131 today) on Ronnie Harmon in 1985.

The total included $12,157 in travel expenses, a $2,000 cash advance, another $1,500 for an unexplained purpose and concert tickets. ⁵⁴

At least five colleges opened investigations to determine whether Walters had dealt with their players: Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Michigan State and Ohio State. ⁷¹

The day after the assault of Kathy Clements, Norby Walters took a late-night flight from New York to Chicago. The return flight was the next morning.

Walters was in Chicago about 12 hours, and then flew back to New York. ⁷³

Investigators suspected that Walters flew to Chicago to pay for the assault on Clements.

Walters files lawsuits against former college athletes Brent Fullwood of Auburn and Terrence Flagler of Clemson, alleging that the college athletes signed contracts and accepted money before their senior seasons – violations of NCAA rules – and then reneged on the contracts. ⁷⁵

A federal grand jury began proceedings in Chicago to investigate the activities of Walters and Bloom. Several athletes and athletic directors were immediately subpoenaed to testify.

The grand jury would consider such charges as fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, extortion, and violation of the RICO (Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations) Act against the agents.

The grand jury would also consider indictments against athletes for committing fraud against colleges by signing contracts in violation of the terms of their signed scholarships. ⁷⁷

The U.S. Attorney’s office, FBI, Big Ten, and Southeastern Conference had investigated the possibility of point shaving in games played by former Iowa running back Ronnie Harmon and former Alabama basketball player Derrick McKey, both of whom were under contract with Walters and Bloom.

Alabama athletic director Steve Sloan said, “Any time one guy gives money to another guy, the red flag goes up. Gambling is the one thing that could ruin college athletics.” ⁷⁹

Two football players with eligibility remaining at the University of Pittsburgh, Charles Gladman and Teryl Austin, will soon be declared ineligible by the school for signing contracts with Walters and Bloom. ⁸¹

Unnamed and unknown Big Ten officials and assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Pearl reviewed the video of the 1986 Rose Bowl and concluded that Ronnie Harmon did not fumble intentionally and that the game is no longer under investigation. ⁸³

There was no evidence that the Big Ten officials involved had any experience playing football at the collegiate level or any experience on a collegiate football staff as assistant or coach.

Howard Pearl attended Brown University and there is no record of his participating in the football program as a player, manager, assistant, or coach in the Football program media guides for 1972 ⁸⁴, 1973 ⁸⁵, 1974 ⁸⁶, or 1975 ⁸⁷.

The U.S. Attorney team was and remained intent on protecting Ronnie Harmon from anything that could undermine Harmon’s credibility with the jury.

Former Auburn University running back Brent Fullwood said he testified before the grand jury that Bloom threatened to “bump off” his current agent, George Kickliter. ⁸⁸

The University of Texas will declare three-time NCAA champion high jumper and football defensive back ineligible for his senior season for accepting money from Walters and Bloom. ⁹²

The NCAA announced a conditional “amnesty program” and reinstated Pitt defensive back Austin, who had cooperated with investigations of Walters and Bloom. ⁹⁴

Colombo mafia family capo Michael Franzese was interviewed in prison about Norby Walters and Kathy Clements.

Franzese related that he had known Walters all his life.

Walters’s father, “Soldier” Meyer, was involved with Michael’s father, John “Sonny” Franzese, in the 1950s and 1960s.

Norby’s father paid a percentage of his nightclub business revenue to Sonny Franzese.

When Norby took over his father’s business, he made the payments to Michael, who had taken over for his father while Sonny Franzese was in prison.

Walters used Michael’s mafia muscle to settle problems with clients and their managers.

Michael Franzese related that he was partners in Walters’s sports agent business and had provided $50,000 in cash. ⁹⁶

NFLPA arbitrator John Culver, a former U.S. Senator from Iowa. ruled that Ronnie Harmon, now of the Buffalo Bills, did not have to repay $49,054.95 (worth $138,265 today) of the $54,924.42 (worth $154,809 today) that Walters gave the athlete dating back to Harmon’s Junior year at Iowa.

Culver ruled that the money was an inducement and not a loan, and said in a 30-page decision, “If such unlettered bribery were permitted, the result could be a bidding war among (agents).” ⁹⁷

In a feature story, Franzese declares he is quitting the mafia.

“The pair cheated federal, state and local authorities out of an estimated $1 billion in gasoline excise taxes from 1981 to 1985.

‘I remember the first time Iorizzo comes in with three boxes, these little crates.

He says, “It’s a couple weeks’ take-about $270,000 or $280,000 [worth $725,000 or $752,000 today] .’

He accepted the sentence and the $15 million [worth $40.7 million today] restitution. In exchange he won immunity from prosecution on crimes that might be revealed by ongoing investigations in seven other jurisdictions.” ¹⁰¹

A federal judge in New York dismissed a $500,000 lawsuit Walters and Bloom had filed against Brent Fullwood because, the judge ruled, “we decline to serve as the paymaster of the wages of crime, or referee between thieves.” ¹⁰²

Walters and Bloom were indicted by a Tuscaloosa County, AL grand jury on misdemeanor charges of tampering with a sports contest, commercial bribery, and deceptive trade practices for their dealings with McKey and his Alabama teammate, Terry Coner, during the 1986-87 basketball season. ¹⁰⁴

Lloyd Bloom plead guilty to one count of deceptive trade practice and agreed to testify against Norby Walters at the scheduled May 9 trial.

As punishment, Bloom must wash state troopers’s cars for one week while staying at a hotel of his choice and at his expense.

Valeska defended the state’s deal, saying, “Without Bloom we can’t get the money man, Walters.” ¹⁰⁸

In an interview with the FBI, Big Ten Commissioner Wayne Duke related,

“[If it] hadn’t been for [Ronnie Harmon], Iowa would have beat UCLA.

…his teammates were upset about it.

There was an altercation in the locker room between the players.” ¹⁰⁹

Brent Fullwood, Ronnie Harmon, and Paul Palmer of Temple were among the more than 40 athletes who have agreed to the pre-trial diversion program to avoid indictment by the federal grand jury.

The athletes also agreed to testify against Walters and Bloom in any subsequent trial and perform 100 to 250 hours of community service. ¹¹¹

Franzese, serving a 10-year sentence on racketeering and embezzlement charges, was transferred to a minimum security federal camp in Boron, CA from a medium security prison due to a “writ to testify” in the Walters and Bloom trial in the Northern District of Illinois U.S. District Court. ¹¹⁴

FBI Interview Report:
“FRANZESE explained that LARRY CARROZZA was associated with ANDREW RUZZO, a captain in the COLOMBO family.

He stated that CARROZZA was not a “made member” of the COLOMBO family. He stated that he was close to CARROZZA, and that
CARROZZA baptized his son, JOHN.

He added that at the meeting, he was told that CARROZZA was dealing drugs in Brooklyn and was having an affair with his sister. FRANZESE stated that be was shocked to hear this information, and that he immediately
defended his sister.

He stated that within a short period of time, CARROZZA was killed.” ¹¹⁶

Norby Walters sold his once-lucrative entertainment agent business to his former partner Jerry Ade. ¹¹⁷

The U.S. Government revealed that mafia crime boss Michael Franzese would testify that he was a silent partner with Walters in the sports agency business.

Franzese will testify that his role was to help Walters “obtain and retain” clients by “exploiting (his) considerable reputation as a member of organized crime.” ¹¹⁹

Speaking with assistant U.S. attorney Howard Pearl and FBI special agent George Randolph, Ronnie Harmon stated that as a black kid from the streets of New York, he never believed that he fit in at Iowa.

He also related that his Iowa career had ended bitterly when his teammates, led by quarterback Chuck Long, pointed fingers at his indifferent attitude after losing four fumbles and dropping a touchdown pass in the Rose Bowl. ¹²⁰

In opening testimony, Ronnie Harmon testified that he received over $54,000 (worth $152,000 today) from Norby Walters and Lloyd Bloom. ¹²²

Harmon also testified:

Q. Did you know at the time that you signed these agreements with Mr. Walters and Mr. Bloom and took money from them that doing so would make you ineligible to compete on the University of Iowa football team and to receive your athletic scholarship?

A. Yes.

Q. How did you know that?

A. Because it was stated in the rules, and we had — we had a team meeting on it that we’re not supposed to sign early and it’s illegal, or we lose our scholarship.

Q. At the time you signed these agreements with Mr. Bloom and Mr. Walters, did you know that you were going to have to lie to the University of Iowa in order to be able to play again and obtain your athletic scholarship for your senior year?

A. Yes.

Q. How did you know that?

A. Because I knew it was illegal to sign early. They already told me. It’s already been stated in the rule book.

Q. How did you know that when you went back in the fall that you were going to have to lie to the university to be able to play again and to receive your senior year athletic scholarship?

A. Because I signed early in March. I knew it was wrong. And I knew to conceal — we had to conceal it because that’s what we agreed on.

Q. And did you know what you were going to have to do when you went back to the university in August?

A. Yes.

Q. What was that?

A. To lie again. ¹²³


Full Ronnie Harmon testimony transcript is here: http://1986rosebowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1989-03-07-case-88-CR-00709-Harmon-testimony-transcript-TITLE-OCR.pdf

Former Michigan running back Robert Perryman testified sports agent Lloyd Bloom threatened that unless Perryman dropped contract demands, Bloom would cause the Big Ten to invalidate Michigan’s prior year conference championship. ¹²⁷

Michael Franzese, a captain in the New York Colombo crime family, testified that he had known Walters for over 30 years and had been a partner in Walters’s entertainment agent business for over 14 years.

Franzese also testified that he provided $50,000 cash to start Walters’s sports agent business in 1985 in exchange for 25% of the profits. ¹²⁹


Full Michael Franzese testimony transcript is here: http://1986rosebowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1989-03-14-case-88-CR-00709-Franzese-testimony-transcript-TITLE-OCR.pdf

Former Michigan defensive back Garland Rivers testified that he took $2,500 in cash from Norby Walters and Lloyd Bloom when he signed a contract with them prior to his senior year.

In total, Rivers took up to $8,000 from the sports agents.

In addition, he received $1,000 from the agents for setting up a meeting with his teammate Robert Perryman. ¹³¹

Former Temple running back Paul Palmer testified that he took $4,000 in cash from Norby Walters to sign a contract with the sports agent.

He also testified that after Palmer signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, Lloyd Bloom spent $125,000 of Palmer’s money on Bloom’s personal expenses, including $82,242 to lease a Rolls Royce. ¹³⁵

Iowa’s Samuel Becker testified that the cash “loans” received by Ronnie Harmon and other athletes are compensation under NCAA and Big Ten rules, thus making the athletes ineligible.

Q. You mentioned that the NCAA and Big Ten and University of Iowa had an interpretation of the term “compensation,” and could you tell us what that is, please and whether this includes loans?

A. Yes. If any loan or even a loan of an automobile that’s related to athletic ability that is not equally available to every other student is concerned, compensation under both Big Ten and NCAA rules and the — all the interpretations that we have had. ¹³⁶


Full Samuel Becker testimony transcript is here:
http://1986rosebowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1989-03-27-case-88-CR-00709-Becker-testimony-transcript-TITLE-OCR.pdf

Norby Walters and Lloyd Bloom were convicted of extortion, racketeering, mail fraud, and racketeering conspiracy.

FBI agent George Randolph, who led the investigation, said, “We thwarted the mob from getting a foothold in the NFL. This thing was headed for a bigger picture. The Colombo crime family that backed these guys is very big on gambling.”

Walters and Bloom dealt with 58 college football and basketball players from 32 colleges from 1985 to 1987. The agents’ activities and threats were first exposed by an Atlanta Journal-Constitution story March 12, 1987.

Four days later, the unsolved beating of rival sports agent Kathy Clements in Skokie, Ill., precipitated the federal investigation, according to the FBI and prosecutors.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence,” said Chicago sports agent Steve Zucker, who was Ms. Clements’s associate at the time of the beating. “We had taken some of [Walters’s and Bloom’s] clients, and it was pretty obvious that Kathy was cooperating with the Atlanta Constitution’s investigation. It’s scary what happened.”

The jury acquitted Walters and Bloom of defrauding two other Big Ten schools, Iowa and Michigan State. ¹³⁸

Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Pearl, a key member of the team that prosecuted Walters and Bloom, resigns to join Dan Webb, Bloom’s defense attorney, in private practice.

Pearl later joined Webb on the Iran-Contra Special Prosecutor team that won the conviction of former Navy Rear Admiral John Poindexter. ¹³⁹

Michael Franzese signs a one-year cooperation agreement with the government. It compels him to cooperate on any case filed through April 30, 1990.

In exchange for the agreement to testify against the mob, less than three months after testifying against Walters and Bloom, Franzese is released from federal prison. ¹⁴⁰

Franzese served about four years of his 10-year term.

Walters’s and Bloom’s attorneys filed with the court to show that his early release was in exchange for his testimony against Walters and Bloom.

At the Walters and Bloom trial, Franzese testified that he would get a maximum of 28 days reduction in his 10-year sentence in exchange for his testimony. ¹⁴¹

Ronnie Harmon stops talking to the press and will conduct no interviews. ¹⁴²

U.S. Attorney Anton “Tony” Valukas, who led the prosecution of Walters and Bloom, announced he was resigning and returning to private practice. ¹⁴³

“Most of all. though. the Browns won because the Bill’s passing attack faltered at the end of the game.

On second down from the Cleveland 11 with 14 seconds left, Buffalo running back Ronnie Harmon dropped a pass from his quarterback, Jim Kelly, in the end zone.” ¹⁴⁴

“And if we tell you the game is on the line, you make sure you don’t catch that ball” – Michael Franzese, mafia capo ¹⁴⁵

Cleveland covered the spread. ¹⁴⁶

Less than a month after dropping a game-winning touchdown pass in the final seconds of the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Browns, 1996 first-round (2nd running back, 16th overall) pick Ronnie Harmon was left unprotected by the Buffalo Bills and released.

Harmon only had two fumbles in the 1989 season and was 12th in the league for running backs in yards per reception at 12.5.

“Ronnie Harmon, who dropped what would have been the winning touchdown pass in an AFC divisional playoff game, Friday was … left unprotected by the Buffalo Bills.

Harmon was one of several name players the Bills decided to make available under the NFL’s Plan B free agent system.” ¹⁴⁷

Norby Walters moves to Los Angeles for “early retirement.” ^{149 150}

He lives in a large Westwood high-rise apartment overlooking Wilshire Boulevard.¹⁵¹

He hosts a weekly low-stakes poker game for Hollywood actors and celebrities.

He also hosts an annual B- and C-List Oscars viewing party which causes him additional legal issues. ¹⁵²

He has no job, no known income, yet lives a luxurious life rubbing shoulders with the Hollywood elite. ¹⁵³

Written by Chris Mortensen, it becomes the definitive work on the investigation, trial, and conviction of Norby Walters and Lloyd Bloom. ¹⁵⁵

Bloom pleaded guilty to a charge of mail fraud and received five years probation and 500 hours of community service. ¹⁵⁶

A federal appeals panel tossed out the mail fraud conviction of former sports agent Norby Walters.

In Wednesday’s ruling, Appellate Judge Frank H. Easterbrook wrote that it was unclear if
the use of the mail had anything to do with Walters’ scheme or if he had any knowledge of any mailings.

The judges also questioned whether the schools had been defrauded because they apparently never were aware of the loss of the athletes’ amateur standing.

Although Walters had pleaded guilty to the mail fraud charge, the government retained the
right to try him on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.

Bloom pleaded guilty to the single count [of mail fraud] with the understanding he could withdraw his plea if a federal appeals court found that Walters’ actions did not constitute mail fraud. ¹⁵⁸

Norby Walters lost his long-running affiliation with Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation after they pulled out as beneficiary of Walters’s annual event after being questioned by California law enforcement officials.

Walters lacks the proper permit for fundraising in California.

In financial statements filed with the city of Beverly Hills, Walters reported paying himself a fee of $10,000 in 2002; a similar fee was recorded for an unnamed person on last year’s statement.

Speaking on Sunday, Walters acknowledged making a modest profit from his own annual gala in most years.

“I don’t have a problem being compensated,” Walters said. “The money that goes to me is whatever might be left over. From $8,000 to $14,000.”

Walters confirmed that he wasn’t registered with the state as a charitable fundraiser, but said he filed annual financial statements with the city of Beverly Hills.

A representative of the Beverly Hills Police Department’s Solicitations Advisory Commission said it didn’t have any record of a permit application or financial statement from Walters for the 2001 gala. ¹⁷⁰

“In December, however, Walters shocked the stars, his pals, and even his longtime publicist Ed Lozzi, when he announced an abrupt end to his annual event.

“I have macular degeneration,” said Walters, “so it’s hard for me when I’m across the room or even up close to have facial recognition.”

“I’m just tired,” he added. “So I’ve come to the end of the trail. That’s all.”

This is the untold story of a legendary, often controversial event, its colorful promoter and sudden end, and how a little-known Hollywood publicist/manager/producer who started his party out of revenge is now expanding with ambitious plans to grow his Oscar night empire even more in the coming years.

The driving force behind that Academy Awards party, launched three years ago, is the title presenter of the Roger Neal Style Hollywood Oscar Viewing Black Tie Dinner Gala.

Neal says his party grew out of his annual gifting suite where for 22 years he brought in sponsors to give the star’s fashions, jewelry, trips, art and more in return for promotion.

Neal says this year, each star guest will get a bag of gifts valued at $23,000, including trips
to the Bahamas and a castle in Ireland.

Neal is now positioned to inherit many of Walters’ stars, sponsors and ticket buyers – but
there is no official hand-off. There was no love lost in recent years between the two
promoters.

Neal complained to Block & Tackle.biz two years ago that stars he invited were told if they
went to his party, they would no longer be welcome at Walters better known, higher
profile, more star-studded party.

Walters may have retired but he has not encouraged anyone to go to Neal’s event.
Walters has even retained rights to the name Night Of 100 Stars, which he is looking to
sell for $50,000 or more.

In 2004, Walters and the Night of 100 Stars was investigated by the state of California for failing to file proper disclosure documents about money it gave to charity, and money that was used to put on the event and pay Walters a fee.

The Film Foundation, run by director Martin Scorsese, with a board that included Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Robert Redford, among others, had received about $400,000 from the events. When the investigation became public, Scorsese quickly cut all ties to the Night Of 100 Stars.

Walters admitted he did not file all the necessary paperwork with the state but then did so retroactively. After that Walters ended connections to any charity and just put the Oscar party on himself as a business.” ¹⁷²