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For Immediate Release
June 5, 2003

Los Angeles, CA
(310) 477-6565

BUSINESS MANAGER FOR SPORTS FIGURES ARRESTED FOR EMBEZZLING NEARLY
$3 MILLION FROM N.B.A. STAR

A former business manager for several professional athletes was arrested this morning on charges that he embezzled more than $2.9 million from National Basketball Association star Mark Jackson between 1999 and 2001.

Bruce Jay Breger, 40, of Beverly Hills, was arrested this morning without incident by special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Breger was arrested pursuant to a criminal complaint filed on June 4, 2003 that charged him with two counts of wire fraud in connection with the theft from Jackson, a 16-year NBA veteran who played this season for the Utah Jazz.

Breger was originally hired by Jackson in 1993 to manage Jackson's financial affairs, including balancing Jackson's checking account, paying his bills, and providing Jackson with investment advice. According to an FBI affidavit in support of the complaint, Breger was able to embezzle the funds by fraudulently transferring money from Jackson's bank account at City National Bank in Westwood, California to bank accounts that Breger controlled both inside and outside of City National Bank. In some cases, Breger was able to access Jackson's accounts by forging Jackson's name on faxes Breger sent to City National Bank requesting that the money be transferred from Jackson's account to accounts controlled by Breger. In other cases, Breger posed as Jackson on the telephone when Breger called City National Bank to request that money be transferred.

Breger allegedly used the money to help fund an extravagant lifestyle. He purchased expensive jewelry for his wife and girlfriend, and he took frequent gambling trips to Las Vegas, often renting a private plane as the means of transportation. While in Las Vegas, Breger often gambled in exclusive or private rooms at various casinos, and he received complimentary penthouse accommodations because of his frequent visits.

Breger is alleged to have hidden his theft by, among other means, having Jackson's City National Bank account statements sent to Breger's office. In addition, Breger sent Jackson phony statements indicating that Jackson had substantial assets under management when, in fact, Jackson's account had been looted.

Jackson fired Breger after being tipped off that there were irregularities in Jackson's account, and after Jackson hired a forensic accountant to investigate the alleged embezzlement.

A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted of the charges set forth in the complaint, Breger faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison.

Breger is expected to make his initial court appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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