Criminal Defense Lawyer Whose Tip Led to OSU Football Coach's Resignation Faces Related Ethics Case
A criminal defense attorney whose emailed tip about potential college football player misconduct led to the resignation of Ohio State’s coach is now in hot water himself, according to the Associated Press and the Columbus Dispatch.
In emailing coach Jim Tressel in April about possible NCAA violations by his players, attorney Christopher Cicero revealed confidential information he obtained from a potential client, alleges a filing Friday by State Disciplinary Counsel Jonathan Coughlan.
Tressel, who subsequently resigned under pressure, is accused of having failed to timely report the alleged NCAA violations to the university.
The ethics complaint contends that Cicero learning of free tattoos allegedly given to some players in exchange for signed memorabilia when he was approached for legal advice by the owner of the tattoo parlor, who was facing a federal drug investigation, the Dispatch reports.
Cicero himself played football for Ohio State in the 1980s.
