The three-day draft nudged the latest allegations against the Saints to the back burner, but the contention that G.M. Mickey Loomis had the ability to listen to communications in which opposing coaches engaged from 2002 through 2004 has yet to go away.
It soon could.
Steve Wyche of NFL.com reports that the Louisiana State Police Superintendent Mike Edmondson said Tuesday that the agency plans to review its findings by the end of week, in order to determine whether enough evidence exists to continue.
At that point, the case could be referred to prosecutors, further investigation could occur, or the matter could be closed. Even if the case is referred to prosecutors, there’s no guarantee that charges would be filed.
Apart from the potential expiration of the statute of limitations on pursuing a criminal action, any case against Loomis likely would have no physical evidence, since the Superdome has been renovated. Last week, Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune explained on PFT Live that the suite in which the apparatus allegedly existed was dismantled and removed.
And so, in the end, the case likely would come down to the testimony of a former employee who may have an axe to grind and the unequivocal denials from Loomis. That’s not nearly enough to satisfy the very high standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, which makes a prosecution far less likely.