Sockers Told to Pay $150,000 in Tax Penalties

SAN DIEGO — The Internal Revenue Service has ordered the Sockers to pay approximately $150,000 in penalties on unpaid payroll taxes, Socker President Ron Cady said Wednesday.

Cady said that the taxes have been paid and a repayment schedule for the penalties has been worked out, but that the Sockers plan to file an appeal within 60 days.

“There are circumstances involving these penalties we can’t get into,” Cady said. “Therefore, the appeal. This is not the type of story we like to be public. It is internal business the club is addressing.”

Cady said the payroll taxes are from previous years, before Bob Bell resigned as the team’s managing general partner Oct. 14.

“We knew there was a previous situation,” said Cady, who was named president of the Sockers after Sockers Management Inc., formed by San Diego businessman Ron Fowler, replaced Bell.

“It’s not proper that I talk,” said Bell from his home in Los Angeles. “I think it should come from Ron (Cady)and the Sockers.”

Cady added that the Sockers have “worked out a temporary repayment program so it won’t affect the operating of the team.”

Socker Notes

The Sockers are reopening negotiations to trade Juli Veee to the Baltimore Blast, according to Veee’s agent, Scott Simpson. “Ron Cady is vigorously pursuing (a trade of)Juli. Juli will not be hard-nosed about terms because, obviously, Juli is not in their plans for tomorrow or the future.” Veee, 37, who is in the final year of a no-cut contract that includes trade approval, is making $90,000 a year. . . . Veee is serving a 30-day suspension for slapping Johan Aarnio, an assistant coach, after the game against Minnesota Nov. 22. Simpson had said last Wednesday that he would file a grievance the next day over Veee’s suspension, but he said Wednesday he still has not done so. “I’m holding off on it,” Simpson said. “I want to see if the Sockers realize the punishment was way too harsh for the incident.” Simpson said he has 60 days from the time of the suspension (Nov. 26)in which to file a grievance, but has no specific date as to when he will do so. . . . Last Wednesday, defender Kevin Crow said he wanted to be traded. A week later, Simpson, who also represents Crow, said he expects that Crow will have to play out his contract. Crow’s $90,000-a-year, no-cut contract with a trade approval clause expires May 31, 1988, and Crow would become a free agent June 1. “Unfortunately, that’s the way it happens,” Simpson said. “The Sockers are asking for treasures from the other teams.” Said Cady:”We’re still negotiating with all teams to see what’s available. We need a defender to replace a defender. A lot of personnel have been offered, but not in that position. We want to accommodate Kevin, but we won’t panic.”