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Breaking News

Other Shoe May Be Ready to Drop in Danny Almonte Story

Aired August 31, 2001 - 09:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Getting back to that Little League World Series controversy with the one kid that may have been too old, well, it looks like the other shoe may be about ready to drop.

Let's go now to Jason Carroll, who's standing by in our New York bureau. He's got the very latest.

Jason, what's going on?

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Leon, an AP reporter in the Dominican Republic spoke to a government office records official, also in that country, who is part of the investigative committee reviewing the birth records of Danny Almonte, the little leaguer. This AP reporter says according to that government official -- quote -- "There are a number of contradictions in the second birth certificate." Leon, as you know, there are two birth certificates, one showing that Danny Almonte is 12 years older, the other saying he was 14. This official from the Dominican Republic saying the birth certificate Almonte's parents provided showing Danny is 12 years old -- as you know, which is the legal age limit to play ball -- is not convincing, meaning the birth records uncovered by a "Sports Illustrated" reporter earlier this week, the ones showing that Danny Almonte is 14 years old seems to be the valid one.

Now this morning, CNN spoke to representatives from the government records office. They said they are very upset that this official apparently leaked out this information. They're a planning to hold a press conference later today.

Yesterday, Little League officials said, whatever decision the officials from the Dominican Republic had reached concerning Danny Almonte's age is the age that they would accept as valid and would take appropriate action.

Now this morning, we also had an opportunity to speak with a representative from the Rolando Paulino All-Stars. That is the team out there in the Bronx that Danny plays for. Here's what that's spokeswoman said. She said -- quote -- I'm going to read it to you: "We were lied to. We only went with the documents provided to us. We believed the father. He gave us three documents to indicate he was 12. We have no experts to examine the documents. We apologize to everyone for not investigating further. We are in shock." They are planning to hold a press conference later this afternoon as well. So, Leon, it appears Danny Almonte is 14 years old and not 12. Of course they plan to get reaction from a lot of people on a lot of different sides of the story later on today -- Leon.

HARRIS: Boy, oh, boy.

Well, listen, Jason, did the team say anything what they want to do next? Did they say anything about being willing to give up their third place trophies and all of that. Do you know if there is going to be a press conference to talk about that later on?

CARROLL: Absolutely. The Rolando Paulino All Stars are planning to have a press conference later on today. And in terms of what penalties the team could face, little league officials could strip them of their third place title. They could even revoke their charter. So we're just going to have to wait and see what the fallout is going to be.

HARRIS: Boy, oh, boy.

Thanks, Jason. Jason Carroll, nice job.

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