Former University of Minnesota administrator Luther Darville testified in his embezzlement trial Monday that he never discussed payments he made to Gophers athletes with then-football Coach Lou Holtz.
"I didn't have to," Darville said. "He didn't want to be involved. I didn't hide it and I didn't volunteer it."Of Holtz, Darville said,"He did not give money personally and didn't give it directly."
Darville had said earlier that Frank Wilderson, a former university vice president who had overall responsibility for the athletic department, had told him to do whatever was necessary to meet the athletes' needs. In testimony Monday, Darville said, "Frank Wilderson asked me not to talk to Holtz about this."
Darville maintains he funneled the $186,000 he is alleged to have stolen to athletes at the direction of his supervisors.