I had yet to see an extensive interview conducted with Thorpe until Rich Lerner of Golf Channel sat down with the 13-time Champions Tour winner in a special that aired on last weekend's Golf Central, with an uncut version that ran on the network's Web site.
Lerner, one of the network's veteran reporters, asked the important questions that needed to be asked (in no particular order):
What did happen, why weren't you able to pay?
Where were your accountants?
You thought maybe--I'll be able to work out a payment arrangement with the IRS. Why were you unable to do that?
The charges allege that rather than pay the tax liabilities, you spent a strong 7 figures, a couple million dollars on the construction of a new home, another $60K or so on a new car. It seems to me that the judge may have been saying if you knew that you had to pay the government a couple million in back taxes, why not a million dollar home versus a $2M dollar home, and why not a $30K car rather than a $60K car? That's what I'm reading into this.
You were investigated but not criminally prosecuted for not filing taxes from 1992-1995. How much did that previous incident factor into the judges decision you think?
Although the abridged special that aired over the weekend was informative,Thorpe opens up and addresses almost all of Lerner's questions head-on during the uncut version. Thorpe expresses disappointment in the way the trial was handled and dissatisfaction with the Tour's treatment of the situation.
But most of all he is upset with himself, shouldering the blame for most of what has happened.
Lerner's ability to get Thorpe to open up for 30 min. is a testament to the trust the longtime Golf Channel on-air personality has earned with so many professional golfers on the PGA, Champions and LPGA Tours. I hope Golf Channel continues to run these raw interviews on their Web site.
It is important to note that Thorpe plays in one of Golf Channel's charity events. Golf Channel disclosed this relationship early on in the segment. It's this transparency that added credibility to the interview.
