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American Morning

Patrick Ewing Testifies to Being John in Gold Club Trial

Aired July 24, 2001 - 11:33   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: One of the biggest names in professional basketball testified in the Gold Club trial, here in Atlanta. Patrick Ewing described alleged illegal acts at the club, involving sex for money.

Several other top celebrities names surfaced in the trial testimony yesterday, as we hear now from our Brian Cabell.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For the last few months, witnesses have testified about prominent athletes who frequented the Gold Club and some who were allegedly provided sex there. NBA star Patrick Ewing, who hasn't been charged in the case, was the first actually to show up and testify. He told the jury that on two occasions, nude dancers did more than just dance for him: "The girls danced and started fondling me," he testified about one visit, in 1996. "I got aroused....they provided oral sex."

On both occasions, he testified, Gold Club owner Steve Kaplan, who is one of seven defendants on trial for racketeering, was in the room when the sex acts occurred.

Defense attorneys weren't impressed with the testimony.

DWIGHT THOMAS, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The impact of Patrick Ewing -- the only thing I can say this, and I say it this morning -- I hope the government has an equal program and calls some white athletes too.

CABELL: Former Gold Club stripper Jana Pelnis, who turned state's evidence, followed Ewing, with more testimony about athletes at the club. She claims she once performed oral sex on basketball player Dikembe Mutombo; had a sexual encounter with football star Terrell Davis; and saw one of the seven defendants, Jackie Bush, perform oral sex on former basketball player Dennis Rodman.

Defense attorneys can see the testimony may be titillating, but insist that none of the defendants was selling sex for money.

STEVE SADOW, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: We are always concerned that this can turn into a moral, rather than a legal, case, but we have a great jury, and once we finish with our arguments and the law is explained, I am confident they'll understand the difference. CABELL: Prosecutors say that prostitution was just one of the illegal enterprises occurring at the Gold Club. They have charged the defendants with credit card fraud, money laundering, payoffs to the Mafia, and police corruption.

Brian Cabell, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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