Bush can return to partying, reaches settlement in the Lake suit
We may never actually know what happened between Lloyd Lake and Reggie Bush. The former USC standout has settled his civil case and will no longer be deposed regarding cash and other benefits provided to him and his family while at USC. Lake was the financier of marketing agency New Era Sports and Entertainment. New Era is now defunct and Lloyd was seeking money allegedly paid to benefit Bush and his family during Bush’s Trojan days. Though there is an inference of guilt, a settlement doesn’t necessarily mean he did anything wrong. Parties generally settle cases to avoid long drawn out costly trials.
Prior to the Lake settlement, back in 2007, Bush and Michael Michaels reached a settlement in the neighborhood of $250,000. Michaels was a former business party of Lake’s and was seeking compensation against Bush for services rendered. Lake’s civil action was seeking nearly $300,000 for cash benefits.
The actual winner of Bush’s settlements is USC. Part of the NCAA’s investigation of USC’s questionable practices was to turn to Bush’s deposition transcript to learn if cash was actually and unlawfully exchanged. USC is still on the edge of its seat waiting for the NCAA to rule on the investigation of Bush and basketball player O.J. Mayo. A sanctions ruling is expected in the near future and any negative ruling could have a deep impact on USC athletics and recruiting.
