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III. Results of Investigation

F. The Rose-Janszen Debt Dispute

Throughout the preceding narrative, we have included excerpts from Pete Rose's deposition, which was taken on April 20-21, 1989. In addition to the subjects already covered in the narrative, Rose was asked during the deposition about the following additional subjects.

1. Rose's Relationship with Joseph Cambra

Joseph Cambra, from Somerset, Massachusetts, was charged with being a bookmaker in 1984, and subsequently pleaded guilty to gambling charges in 1986.[393] Pete Rose acknowledged meeting Cambra during Spring training in West Palm Beach, Florida, in February 1984, while Rose was a player with the Montreal Expos.[394] Rose stated that he did not know Cambra was a bookmaker, or that he had been convicted of bookmaking, until about two weeks prior to his deposition on April 20, 1989.[395] Rose denied ever betting with Cambra or going to the racetrack with him.[396] Rose testified that the only financial transaction he had with Cambra involved a real estate deal in which Cambra told Rose he could double his money. As part of the deal, Rose gave Cambra $19,800, but the deal fell through and Cambra returned the money in cash.[397] Rose believed the money was returned to him in Montreal, during 1984, several months after he had given it to Cambra.[398]

Cambra stated that he has had a real estate license in Massachusetts and that Rose gave him two checks totaling $19,300 for a real estate deal in which Rose was going to participate.[399] Cambra provided copies of the checks. Both are dated July 5, 1984. One is for $10,300, payable to Joe Cambra, and drawn on Rose's personal account at First National Bank of Cincinnati. The second is a cashier's check drawn on the Royal Bank of Canada, payable to Joe Cambra, for $9,000.[400] Cambra stated that the real estate deal could have been very lucrative, but it "fell through" and the money was returned to Rose.[401] Cambra would not provide any details about the proposed real estate deal. Cambra's attorney stated that for personal reasons on Cambra's part, as well as possible criminal prosecution, no details surrounding the real estate transaction could be provided.[402] Cambra could also not explain how he returned the money to Rose. Cambra denied that the police had seized a check issued to him from Pete Rose in a gambling raid on Cambra's home on November 13, 1984.[403] Cambra also denied that Rose ever bet on baseball with him, but stated that he could not answer whether Rose ever bet on other sports with him.[404]

Rose described Cambra as a "dear friend" and "a down-to-earth guy.''[405] Cambra asked Rose for a Reds World Series ring. Rose wrote a letter to John Scarpellini of the Balfour Ring Company requesting that World Series ring be made for Cambra.[406] Rose denied that this was a gift for Cambra and stated that Cambra paid $3,150 for the ring.[407]

Cambra stated that he asked Rose if he could have a copy of Rose's 1975 World Series ring. Cambra confirms that Rose wrote a letter to Balfour requesting that a copy of the ring be made.[408] Cambra stated that he requested that a diamond be put in the ring, and that he paid Balfour $3,141 for it.[409]

John Scarpellini, Vice President of Balfour (whom Rose stated he knew very well[410]), stated that a Balfour employee, who was also Joe Cambra's nephew, wanted Scarpellini to contact Rose in reference to the loss of Rose's 1975 World Series ring.[411] Scarpellini eventually spoke to Rose, who requested that a replacement 1975 ring be made. Scarpellini recalled later receiving a letter from Rose requesting that the ring be made for Cambra.[412]

Rose stated that he has seen Cambra five to six days a year from 1984 to 1989, during Spring training. When Cambra comes to Florida, Rose asks the Reds traveling secretary to get Cambra a room.[413] Cambra has visited Rose's new home in Florida.[414] When asked whether Cambra was ever in the Reds' clubhouse, Rose responded, "Well, it's all according to what your definition of the clubhouse is.''[415] Rose stated that Cambra has been in his office, but not in the part of the clubhouse where the players are.[416]

Footnotes:

393) Joseph Cambra Interview, April 27, 1989, at 1. See Exhibit 66.

394) Rose Dep. at 7-8.

395) Rose Dep. at 8-9.

396) Rose Dep. at 18.

397) Rose Dep. at 9-10, 18-19.

398) Rose Dep. at 18-19.

399) Cambra Interview at 3.

400) See Exhibits attached to Cambra Interview.

401) Cambra Interview at 3.

402) Cambra Interview at 3.

403) Cambra Interview at 3.

404) Cambra Interview at 4.

405) Rose Dep. at 11.

406) Letter to the Balfour Ring Company from Pete Rose, March 24, 1989. See Exhibit 67.

407) Rose Dep. at 15. Rose stated that he traded his original 1975 World Series ring to Barry Halper, a memorabilia collector and part owner of the New York Yankees, for a "big huge bust" of Ty Cobb. Rose added that there were only two of its [the bust's] kind in the world. Rose Dep. at 15-16.

In April 1989, Rose put his three World Series rings on display at a local Cincinnati bank which he said "was just one way of clearing up all the bullshit ... about my ring is gone for a gambling debt. Rose Dep. at 277-278. However, Rose confirmed that Barry Halper owns the authentic 1975 ring, and the ring put on display was a new ring Rose had made. Rose Dep. at 276-277. Rose denied that the original ring had been used to pay off a gambling debt. Rose Dep. at 278.

408) Cambra Interview at 2.

409) Cambra Interview at 2.

410) Rose Dep. at 14.

411) Letter to Ed Durso from John Scarpellini, April 17, 1989, at 1. See Exhibit 68.

412) Letter to Ed Durso from John G. Scarpellini, April 17, 1989, at 1.

413) Rose Dep. at 20-22.

414) Rose Dep. at 21.

415) Rose.Dep. at 22.

416) Rose Dep. at 22-23.

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