by Frank Coffey
The station also reported another startling piece of news: An employee at the Detroit Westin Hotel, where most competitors stayed during the national championships, told investigators Harding had asked for Kerrigan’s room number. Contrary to hotel policy, the employee gave Harding the information.
If true, this would turn out to be a vital piece of information, because under Oregon law, the testimony of co-conspirators is admissible in criminal trials only when corroborated by other evidence.
• On Saturday, January 29, The New York Times reported that Jeff Gillooly, in exchange for information that could further implicate his ex-wife, had reached an agreement with prosecutors. Under the terms of the plea bargain, prosecutors would charge Gillooly with a single count of racketeering and seek a maximum sentence of two years in prison. The term would be one year less than he might have faced under the original conspiracy charge. Moreover, a charge of racketeering can be wiped off a person’s record after three years.
• That same day, Jeff Gillooly’s brother told the New York Daily News that Jeff had in fact implicated Tonya Harding during the course of his interrogation by the FBI—but only after discovering that Harding had “double-crossed” him.
John Gillooly said that his brother and Harding had agreed on an alibi. They had made a pact. Jeff Gillooly broke that pact only when FBI agents gave him a transcript of Harding’s ten-and-a-half hour deposition. According to John Gillooly, Harding had told her ex-husband that she told investigators nothing, and even when he was arrested the following day, Jeff Gillooly refused to believe Harding had turned him in. It was only when confronted with details of Harding’s interrogation that he decided to accept a plea bargain.
“His lawyer had the FBI come over with her 45-page deposition and let him read it,” John Gillooly said. “(The FBI) told us she gave him up easily and coolly.”
John Gillooly said his brother watched his ex-wife’s press conference—during which she claimed to have had no advance knowledge of that attack on Nancy Kerrigan—while surrounded by investigators. According to John Gillooly, Jeff said, “The FBI were laughing at her.”
“They’re talking about crucifying her because she has the audacity to be skating in the Olympics in the face of all this,” John Gillooly told The Daily News. “They’re taking this as an insult because she won’t have the good grace to bow out.”
As of January 30, 1994, there has been no change of heart. Tonya Harding remains a member of the U.S. Olympic team.
• On January 31, NIKE chief executive officer Philip Knight began playing the role of white knight. He announced that his company would contribute $25,000 to help Harding defend herself in the event that the U.S. Olympic Committee tried to remove her from the team before she was found guilty of a crime.
• On February 1, Jeff Gillooly appeared before Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge David Londer and pleaded guilty to his role in the attack on Nancy Kerrigan. Gillooly, speaking quietly and somberly, struck a plea bargain in which he confessed to a single charge of racketeering in exchange for his testimony implicating his ex-wife Tonya Harding. Under the agreement, Gillooly will be sentenced—providing he abides by the conditions of the plea agreement—to 24 months in a federal prison and be fined $100,000 in exchange for testifying “truly and fully” in all investigations and trials involving the assault on Nancy Kerrigan. Formal sentencing was set for April 1, 1994.
Gillooly did not speak to reporters: however, his lawyer, Ron Hoevet, issued the following statement:
“Jeff Gillooly pled guilty today to violating the Oregon racketeering statute. In his plea, Jeff admitted to offenses which helped further the assault on Nancy Kerrigan. By truthfully telling all he knows regarding the assault and the cover-up to state and federal law enforcement officials and the Multnomah County grand jury, he has resolved the case against him in Oregon and in all other federal and state jurisdictions.
“Jeff is not here today. He has a continuing duty to cooperate with state and federal law enforcement officials in the investigation and prosecution of others who were involved in this crime.
“It is unlikely that he will make any public statement before that duty is fulfilled. Most of Jeff’s seventeen and one-half hour statement to the FBI last Wednesday and Thursday has been released today by the district attorney. It answers the questions you want to know. What did Tonya Harding know and when did she know it? What did she do to further the assault on Nancy Kerrigan and to cover it up?
“The key date is December 28, 1993. That morning, Jeff met with Shawn Eckardt, Derrick Smith and Shane Stant in Eckardt’s home. Tonya knew that the purpose of this meeting was to discuss how they could prevent Nancy Kerrigan from competing for the U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Championship. Tonya dropped Jeff off at the meeting and picked him up after it was over.
“Jeff took to that meeting approximately $3,000 in cash, the name of the rink where Nancy Kerrigan practiced, and her photograph.
“Tonya had personally obtained the name of the Tony Kent Arena a day or two before the meeting. After the meeting, while driving toward home, Tonya approved the plan that had been discussed and gave the OK for the assault on Nancy Kerrigan. The final decision was hers to make.
“That same afternoon, Tonya called the Tony Kent Arena from her home to determine Nancy Kerrigan’s practice schedule. Later that same evening, Jeff and Tonya returned to Eckardt’s house. Jeff paid Eckardt $2,000 and Tonya provided additional information about Nancy Kerrigan, including a magazine article which contained her full-page picture.
“When the assault had not taken place by New Year’s Eve, Tonya became upset. About midnight on January 1, 1994, she confronted Shawn Eckardt and Jeff at the Ice Chalet in Clackamas Town Center. She complained that no one seemed to be able ‘to do this thing for her’ and demanded her $2,000 back from Eckardt.
“After Tonya arrived in Detroit and learned that Smith and Shane Stant had also traveled there, she personally obtained the room number of Nancy Kerrigan and her practice schedule, she forwarded this information on to Jeff in Portland, who faxed it to Eckardt, who then relayed it to Smith and Stant in Detroit.
“After the assault on Nancy Kerrigan on January 6, 1994, the FBI received an anonymous tip while Jeff and Tonya were in Detroit. The tip implicated Jeff, Tonya, Eckardt and Smith in the crime. When Jeff and Tonya returned to Portland the night of January 10, 1994, they were surveilled by the FBI and other law enforcement officers. The authorities watched as Jeff, Tonya and Eckardt met to create a cover story.
“They watched as Jeff, Tonya and Eckardt made telephone calls to Smith on Monday night and Tuesday morning from public telephones with a ‘talk-and-toss’ card to set the cover story straight. They watched as Jeff and Tonya drove by Eckardt’s house again and again Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning in an attempt to monitor Eckardt’s interview with the FBI.
“They watched as Jeff and Tonya drove to Elmer’s Pancake House and reconnoitered the parking lot to see if the FBI were there. Before entering the restaurant to meet with Eckardt, who was wired, Jeff handed his wallet and watch to Tonya because both of them believed he was going to be arrested inside.
“Jeff and I have known each other less than three weeks. In those few days, however, we have traveled a long way together, from denial to acceptance. I know Jeff deeply regrets his involvement in this crime. He knows he and others have brought pain and fear to Nancy Kerrigan, her family and her fans. By this plea and co-operation agreement, Jeff hopes to bring closure to his own involvement in these events.
“Finally, Jeff has a message for Tonya-he hopes that she will know what he has done and move quickly to resolve the charges that will surely be brought against her.
“And I would like to add something as well: Tonya is well-represented by Bob Weaver, my good friend and former trial partner at the U.S. attorney’s office. She should listen to him. He can help her. Denial is no longer plausible.The truth about this bizarre crime has now been revealed.”
Tonya Harding’s response was swift and unrepentant. Through her attorneys, she issued the following statement:
“Jeff Gillooly’s accusations appear to evidence a continued practice of abusive conduct intended to disrupt Tonya Harding’s life and destroy her career.
“Tonya Harding denies Mr. Gillooly’s accusations and all media speculation and rumors that suggest that she was involved in the Kerrigan assault.
“Tonya Harding is dedicating her full attention to preparation for the Olympics.
“On a separate note, we are proud of Phil Knight and NIKE, Inc., for their courageous showing of support. We are extremely disappointed that the United States Olympic Committee, whose constitution mandates that it use all lawful means ‘to protect the right of an amateur athlete to participate … in the Olympic Games’ has not, as yet, made a similar showing of support.”
As of February 1, 1994, Tonya Harding had not been charged with any crime.
Appendix A
THIN ICE: A CHRONOLOGY
The following day-by-day account is based on information taken from affidavits, news reports, bank and phone company records, public statements by those involved.
December 16 or 17
Jeff Gillooly approaches Shawn Eckardt (according to Eckardt) to discuss a plan to assault Nancy Kerrigan.
December 27
According to bank records, Gillooly withdraws $3,000 from his account at a Portland bank.
December 27 or 28
According to Eckardt (who is unsure of the date):
• Gillooly, Shane Stant and Derrick Smith meet with Eckardt at his home to discuss their plot against Kerrigan;
• They agree that Gillooly will pay Stant and Smith $6,500 to commit an assault on Kerrigan;
• Gillooly tells Stant to hit Kerrigan in the right knee, since she lands on her right leg after jumps;
• Gillooly gives Eckardt $,2000, which Eckardt subsequently gives to Smith.
December 28
Phone company records show that calls are made from the Gillooly/Harding home to Kerrigan’s home rink.
Shane Stant departs Portland for Boston.
December 29
Stant flies into Boston, stays at a hotel near the airport, then moves to Cape Cod, near Kerrigan’s practice rink.
January 1
Stant calls Kerrigan’s rink from his motel room.
January 2
Eckardt tells Eugene Saunders, a fellow student and born-again “minister,” that he is part of a plot to harm Nancy Kerrigan.
Eckardt plays a poor-quality cassette tape for Saunders that he says was recorded by the four men involved in the potential assault. According to Eckardt, one of the plotters on the tape asks, “Why don’t we just kill her?” Eckardt says that’s unnecessary, directs men to “just hit her in the knee.”
January 3
Unable to assault Kerrigan on Cape Cod, Stant takes a bus to Detroit, site of the nationals.
Another $3,000 is withdrawn by Gillooly from his account.
January 4
Stant arrives in the Detroit suburb of Romulus, Michigan.
January 5
A phone call is made from Stant’s motel room to the Gillooly/Harding residence. Eckardt wires $750 to Derrick Smith and Smith flies from Phoenix to Detroit.
January 6
Once again, Gillooly withdraws $3,000 from his Portland account. Eckardt sends $1,300, via Western Union, to Smith.
Stant attacks Kerrigan at Cobo Arena, Detroit.
January 7
Stant and Smith fly to Phoenix.
Kerrigan withdraws from the nationals due to the injury suffered in the assault.
January 8
Harding finishes first at the nationals; 13-year-old Michelle Kwan is second.
An unidentified woman telephones Detroit police and names Gillooly, Eckardt, Smith and Stant as four men whom she heard on an audio tape planning to hurt Kerrigan. This is the first break in the case.
January 10
Harding flies back to Portland and reveals that Michigan police have questioned her about the Kerrigan assault. She asserts she had no involvement in the case.
Eugene Saunders, Eckardt’s classmate, informs the FBI of his conversation with the bodyguard.
The FBI question Eckardt for the first time.
January 12
Eckardt signs a confession. He also names Gillooly, Stant and Smith.
January 13
Eckardt and Smith are arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit second-degree assault. Newspaper reports break the story that the authorities consider Gillooly a suspect in the case.
January 14
The FBI arrest Stant in Phoenix; he signs a confession implicating Gillooly, Eckardt and Smith.
Portland law enforcement officials deny that Harding herself would be arrested.
January 16
Kerrigan returns to the ice for the first time.
Amid swirling rumors, Harding denies any involvement in the Kerrigan attack.
January 18
For the first time, Harding is questioned by the FBI in a ten-hour session. Through an attorney, Harding says she is splitting from Gillooly to concentrate on her skating.
Stant, returned to Portland, is charged with conspiracy and assault.
January 19
Gillooly is arrested; also charged with conspiracy and assault.
In an explosive newspaper interview, Eckardt claims Harding was part of the plot on Kerrigan.
January 20
Harding skates in public for the first time since the assault on Kerrigan. She performs beautifully, landing several triple Axels.
Friends of Harding and Gillooly testify before a Multnomah County grand jury.
January 21
The deadline for the grand jury report is pushed back to February 3.
Skating at home in Stoneham, Massachusetts, Kerrigan lands her first triple jumps since the attack. After the session, she declines to answer questions from reporters. Later in the day she flies to Los Angeles to film a television commercial.
At the Clackamas Town Center rink, more than 400 fans and supporters, many wearing “We Believe in Tonya” buttons, watch Harding skate.
January 23
The Portland Oregonian runs a story in which Harding is accused by two men of trying to have Gillooly killed the previous summer. An unnamed source says an angry Harding approached the men and told them she wanted Gillooly “taken care of.”
January 25
Reports surface for the first time that Gillooly has implicated Harding in exchange for a lighter sentence.
The deadline for the grand jury report is pushed back again, this time to February 18, six days after the start of the Winter Olympics.
January 26
Gillooly and his attorney, Ron Hoevet, meet with authorities for more than six hours.
January 28
A Detroit television station reports that it has obtained phone records showing that ten phone calls to Shawn Eckardt’s home were charged to Harding’s personal telephone credit card on January 4 and again on January 6, the day Kerrigan was assaulted.
The station also reports that an employee at the Detroit Westin Hotel—where most competitors stayed during the national championships—told investigators Harding had asked for Kerrigan’s room number.
January 29
The New York Times reports that Gillooly has reached an agreement with prosecutors. Under the terms of the plea bargain, prosecutors would charge Gillooly with a single count of racketeering and seek a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
John Gillooly tells the New York Daily News that his brother did in fact implicate Tonya Harding during the course of his interrogation by the FBI—but only after discovering that Harding had “double-crossed” him.
Gillooly shows up at the home of Shawn Eckardt and begins pounding on the front door. Police are summoned to the scene, and Gillooly leaves without incident.
&nb
sp; January 30
Gillooly’s attorney, Ron Hoevet, says his client will probably hold a press conference within a few days.
January 31
Rosters for the Winter Olympic Games are submitted. Tonya Harding’s name is included.
January 31
Philip Knight, Chief Executive Officer of NIKE, announces that his company will contribute $25,000 to help Harding defend herself if the U.S. Olympic Committee attempts to remove her from the team.
February 1
Jeff Gillooly enters into a plea agreement with the Multnomah Country District Attorney’s office, in which he pleads guilty to one count of “racketeering” in exchange for a reduced sentence and an agreement to testify “truly and fully” in the Nancy Kerrigan assault case. In a statement read by his lawyer, Ron Hoevet, Gillooly, for the first time, formally alleges that Tonya Harding was involved in the plot.
Hoevet also urges Harding to admit her role in the plot. “Denial is no longer plausible,” Hoevet said. “The truth about this bizarre crime has now been revealed.” In a press conference later, Hoevet added, “She did much more than know about it, she actively participated in it.”
Harding’s reaction to Gillooly’s accusations is one of complete and utter denial. Her lawyer, Robert Weaver, said, after Hoevet’s press conference: “Tonya Harding denies the accusations leveled against her by her former husband and boyfriend, Jeff Gillooly…. I am appalled that Mr. Gillooly’s attorney has seen fit to immerse himself in this media circus … It is my hope that charges will not be leveled against Tonya Harding … If charges are leveled against her, she will respond to them in a court of law.”