Reggie Bush Denies Being Involved in Spiking Drinks with Darren Sharper, Threatens Legal Action

In December, news came out about testimony of a Darren Sharper associate, Brandon Licciardi, regarding drugging women. Licciardi was a New Orleans-area deputy sheriff who traveled with Sharper including to an event in Las Vegas. At the time, it the NOLA.com story mentioned the possibility of other NFL players being involved, but didn’t list names. The story came from testimony of FBI Special Agent Robert Blythe, and he didn’t want to reveal other names.

Well, the New Orleans Advocate now has further details of what Licciardi had told investigators. In a second interview last year, right before Mardi Gras, Licciardi told investigators–among many other things–that Reggie Bush was in Las Vegas putting “molly” in champagne glasses.

"“OK, um, I was in Vegas about three years ago and um, Reggie Bush put Molly in Champagne. He was handing out Molly on the dance floor to girls. Handing it out. Like giving it to them,” Licciardi said. “And how do you know that?” asked James O’Hern, an investigator for the DA’s Office. “ ’Cause I saw it with my own eyes,” Licciardi responded. *** Later in the interview, Licciardi backpedaled when asked again about the Las Vegas party. “Reggie, yeah. No, I didn’t see him put it in the drink. He told me. And he said he was handing it to people, in Vegas,” Licciardi said, adding, “He asked me if I wanted some. And I was like, ‘I don’t do that stuff.’” It was unclear from the interview whether Licciardi believed the women at the Las Vegas club were aware the drug was being dropped in their drinks. Authorities have not accused Bush of drugging or raping anyone"

There are certainly some questions there about Licciardi, who first says he saw Bush do it and then says Bush told him he did it. However, despite Bush’s strong Twitter statements, if the reporters on this story have a transcript of an interview with the witness who says these things, and they are reporting what was said, legal action will be difficult.

It goes without saying that Bush has been charged with nothing at this point, and–at least based on the testimony offered in court in December, the FBI had not begun investigating the NFL players mentioned. I will say that the line of thinking in this tweet to Bush and response is irrelevant.

Darren Sharper was not an ugly man; it has nothing to do with looks or money. Bush’s better defense would be that he wasn’t at this event in Las Vegas and that Licciardi is a liar.

Related: Peter King Would Resign From Hall of Fame Committee Before Precluding Darren Sharper