Gillooly Named In Arrest Warrant -- Tonya Harding Still Believes In Her Ex-Husband

PORTLAND, Ore. - Tonya Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, was charged with conspiring to attack Olympic rival Nancy Kerrigan, authorities said today.

Gillooly was named in a warrant issued yesterday by Circuit Judge Donald Londer. The announcement came hours after a day-long meeting between the figure skater and authorities.

Gillooly had not yet been arrested, said Multnomah County Sheriff's Officer Dave Bejarano.

An affidavit from a sheriff's deputy, released with the arrest warrant, said Harding's bodyguard signed a confession admitting his role in the conspiracy.

According to the affidavit from Multnomah County Deputy James McNelly, Shawn Eckardt said Gillooly told him Harding made two telephone calls in an attempt to determine Kerrigan's practice schedule at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit.

The attack happened Jan. 6.

Harding divorced Gillooly in August, later resumed living with him, but said yesterday that the two were separating again. His arrest further complicates the skater's efforts to remain on the U.S Olympic team at the Winter Games in Norway next month.

She and Gillooly have both denied any involvement in the alleged plot to injure Kerrigan. Olympic officials have said Harding would be removed from the team if she is implicated in the attack.

The affidavit also says Gillooly's bank records show he withdrew $9,000 in three separate transactions between Dec. 27 and Jan. 6.

The affidavit details wire transfers Eckardt made to Derrick Smith, the fourth man charged in the attack.

The affidavit says Shane Minoaka Stant, the accused "hit man," traveled to the Boston area, where Kerrigan lives, on Dec. 29 and stayed until Jan. 3. It says telephone records show Stant placed a call Jan. 1 from his hotel room to the rink where Kerrigan conducts her practice sessions.

According to the affidavit, Stant moved to a motel in Romulus, Mich., on Jan. 4. He received a phone call there Jan. 5 from Gillooly and Harding's home phone in Oregon.

On Jan. 12, Smith confessed to FBI agents in Phoenix, the affidavit said. Smith said Stant was unable to carry out attack the assault in Boston, so he traveled to Detroit a week before the U.S. figure skating national championships. Smith said Stant assaulted Kerrigan following a practice session.

Smith admitted driving the getaway car after being paid $2,000 by Eckardt for the job.

Stant said the decision to hit Kerrigan in the right knee was reached during planning meetings in Oregon because "as it was explained to Stant by Gillooly, this was Kerrigan's landing leg and that by injuring it, she would be unable to compete," the affidavit said.

Harding spoke with the FBI and local prosecutors for more than 10 hours yesterday and reportedly denied any involvement in the attack. About eight hours into the interview she released a statement announcing she and Gillooly were separating.

As they left the questioning, Harding was asked by reporters what she would say to her fans. Her voice trembling, the 23-year-old skater said, "Please believe in me."

Asked if she still believed in Gillooly, Harding said, "Definitely."

Harding's attorney, Robert Weaver, said they cooperated fully with the FBI and district attorney, adding it would not be appropriate to discuss details of the investigation. Assistant District Attorney Norm Frink also declined comment.

But The New York Times today quoted an unidentified investigator as saying Harding consistently denied any knowledge of the attack. The source said Harding cried several times during the questioning, "but she's holding up."

The Times also reported that figure skating officials will vote next week on whether to keep Harding on the U.S team for the Winter Games in Norway next month.

Claire Ferguson, president of the U.S. Figure Skating Association, told the Times ballots will be faxed to the association's 45-member international committee on or about Jan. 26 asking them if they want Harding to remain on the team.

Harding can be removed by a majority vote but will have the right to appeal to the U.S. Olympic Committee. Ferguson told the Times the deadline for returning the ballots would likely be Jan. 29. The U.S. must name its team by Jan. 31.

Ferguson said the USFSA discussed with attorneys its legal standing if it should vote to remove Harding from the team.

"The members are going to have to realize that there are a lot of legal issues they will have to deal with if we vote her off the team," Ferguson said. "But if the majority want to go ahead with that, then we'll deal with it the best we can."

As Harding remained huddled with authorities in the FBI office last night, one of her attorneys released a statement on her latest break with Gillooly.

"After a lot of agonizing thought and evaluation, I have decided that it would be best for Jeff and me to separate," said Harding. "The events of the last few days have been difficult for both of us.

"I am innocent, and I continue to believe that Jeff is innocent of any wrongdoing. I wish him nothing but the best, but I believe during this crucial time of preparation for the Olympics that I must concentrate my attention on my training."

Gillooly, a longtime friend of Eckardt, did not take part in the meeting with the FBI.

While Harding was still talking to authorities, the alleged "hit man" in the attack arrived from Arizona to face charges of conspiracy and assault.

Stant, accused of striking Kerrigan in the leg, was booked in Portland after appearing before a judge in Phoenix and agreeing not to fight extradition to Oregon. Stant turned himself in to the FBI in Phoenix last week after learning there was a warrant for his arrest in Oregon.