USOC will meet today to discuss future of its CEO

DENVER -- U.S. Olympic Committee chief executive Lloyd Ward says he did nothing wrong in trying to steer Olympic business to a company with ties to his brother. Now the USOC will decide.

The USOC's executive committee meets today to consider Ward's case, and he could be cleared, censured or fired.

He is accused of helping his brother's company try to reach a deal with the 2003 Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic.

Ward has spent the past two weeks trying to save his job, saying that he did nothing wrong in trying to get a deal for Detroit-based Energy Management Technologies.

He sent at least two e-mails to the executive committee explaining his actions and sent a letter to the editor printed in Sunday's New York Times.

"I strongly feel that I did not commit any violation of the U.S.O.C.'s code of ethics, nor otherwise engage in wrongdoing," the letter read. "I recognized the history of conflict between the volunteer leadership of the U.S.O.C. and its constituent groups and staff when I accepted the assignment in 2001, but I am committed to the ultimate success of the organization and confident of my personal values and ethical platform, which have shaped my life and business career."

Ward, through his secretary and a USOC spokesman, has turned down repeated requests from The Associated Press for comment.

The accusations, first reported in the Los Angeles Times, said Ward directed his staff to help EMT gain a contract to supply power generators for August's Pan Am Games. No deal was closed.

Ward's brother, Rubert, was once listed as the company's president, but CEO Lorenzo Williams said he no longer holds the title. Williams is a childhood friend of the brothers.

Lloyd Ward signed a conflict-of-interest statement in July, but he did not disclose any affiliation with EMT.

In an e-mail to the executive committee Jan. 1, Ward said neither he nor his brother had any financial interest in the company. He also said he did not disclose his ties to the company because his brother is a former employee and was never an owner.

"I made an error in judgment by not disclosing this situation in July," Ward said. "I strongly feel I did nothing wrong, but we represent the Olympics and must always reach for a higher standard. I will never compromise this learning in the future."

Monday's meeting represents the second time Ward has come under scrutiny since he took office in October 2001.

The USOC's executive committee met in November to discuss Ward's membership in Augusta National Golf Club, which does not allow female members. Ward had said he would work from within to get the club to allow women members, and the executive committee voiced its support.

This isn't the first scandal facing the world's most powerful Olympic committee recently.

In May, USOC president Sandy Baldwin resigned after admitting she lied about her academic credentials. She was replaced by Marty Mankamyer.

Last year, the USOC went through a long search to replace CEO Norm Blake, who resigned under pressure in October 2000.

The USOC also has a lawsuit pending with former drug chief Dr. Wade Exum, who contends the organization hindered his antidoping battle because he is black.

And there was the bribery trial stemming from the bidding for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

The Ward case led USOC officials to try to soothe sponsors, many of which have contracts that end in 2004. Mankamyer sent an e-mail to sponsors last week.

"During this time, we want to assure you, our sponsors, that this organization continues to function effectively and remains focused on the day-to-day business of supporting our athletes and helping you maximize return on your investment," she wrote.