Police Say Saints Didn’t Break Law With Wiretapping Allegations

Loomis was accused of installing wiretapping devices in the Superdome with the purpose of listening to opposing coaches in an ESPN story in the spring of 2012. That allegation was followed by news that the source who fueled ESPN’s original story was a fired former Saints employee.

The investigation of the Louisiana State Police is independent of the forthcoming report from the Freeh Group, now-famous for its investigation into Penn State athletics in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal. The investigation for Freeh Group’s report on the Saints is ongoing.

Loomis said that he welcomed an investigation into the eavesdropping claims, saying he has never done anything like that in his nearly 30 years in the league.

He also said that he respects NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s decision to suspend him eight games due to the bounty scandal. He is under the same rules as Sean Payton, which prohibit him from speaking with team employees during his suspension.

Doug Tatum of the Times-Picayune reports that former Saints coach Jim Haslett has gone on the record in support of Loomis. Haslett was the New Orleans head coach during the period in question and now works for the Washington Redskins. Here is his statement:

Although Haslett was quick to go on the record, these remain very serious allegations.

In an email to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, Loomis issued a denial of his own:

Cortez Kennedy, the Hall of Fame defensive tackle who serves as an adviser to the Saints, vouches for Loomis’ assertion that he’s listening to the radio broadcast:

It’s been a pretty bad offseason for the Saints and for Loomis in particular, who has been suspended for eight games for his involvement in the Saints’ bounty scandal. Whether or not there’s any truth to the Outside The Lines report, Loomis’ reputation has certainly been damaged once again, hence the threat of legal action.

For more on Loomis and the Saints, head over to the SB Nation blog Canal Street Chronicles.

New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis, already set to serve an eight-game suspension in the wake of Gregg Williams’ bountygate, could be facing more trouble according to a new report by ESPN’s Outside The Lines. The U.S. Attorney’s office in the Eastern District of Louisiana has reportedly been told that Loomis rigged a device that from 2002 through 2004 could allow him to listen in on opposing coaches from his Superdome suite.

Sources told OTL that the device was first installed in 2000 under former GM Randy Mueller to monitor communication amongst Saints’ coaches. Loomis reportedly had the device re-wired to listen in exclusively on the opposition using an earpiece.