McLain Is Jailed After Conviction

TAMPA, Fla. —  A federal judge ordered former baseball pitcher Denny McLain held without bond Sunday, one day after he was convicted by a jury of racketeering, conspiracy, extortion and cocaine possession.

U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich denied a request by defense attorneys to have the former Detroit Tiger right-hander free on bond until sentencing April 19, saying McLain represents a potential threat to the community and could flee.

McLain, 41, has been free on $200,000 bond since his indictment in March 1984.

A nine-woman, three-man panel, who listened to 350 hours of testimony, found baseball’s last 30-game winner guilty Saturday of racketeering, conspiracy, extortion and cocaine-possession charges.

McLain, however, was found innocent on one count of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine.

He faces a maximum penalty of 75 years in prison and fines totaling $75,000. Co-defendants Seymour Sher and Frank Cocchiaro each face a maximum 60 years in prison and fines of $60,000, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Ernst Mueller, the prosecutor in the case.

Sher and Cocchiaro were convicted of racketeering, conspiracy and extortion, while a third defendant, Joe Rodriguez, was found innocent on a charge of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine.

Judge Kovachevich also ordered Sher held without bond.

In its case against McLain, the government claimed that between 1978 and 1983, McLain was part of a loan-sharking operation that charged interest rates of 130%, used threats to collect, and booked high-stakes bets on professional and college football and basketball games.

McLain also was accused of possessing 13 kilos (29 pounds) of cocaine and plotting to smuggle 400 kilos (880 pounds) of cocaine from Colombia.

During two days on the stand, the three-time American League All-Star admitted being a bookie. He denied drug dealing but acknowledged being present while deals were planned. He also said he was innocent of racketeering conspiracy, loan-sharking and extortion.

Six others, including Sher and Cocchiaro, were charged with McLain in a 22-page indictment returned a year ago.