Former Bear PR Director Investigated

Federal investigators are looking at possible gambling by the former public relations director of the Chicago Bears, including suspicions he bet on the team’s games, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday.

The Sun-Times said investigators also were looking at possible connections between a bookie and Bryan Harlan, who left as the Bears’ public relations chief Friday.

Harlan is suspected of placing bets on NFL games, including some involving the Bears, according to the Sun-Times. There have been no allegations of point-shaving, and no players or coaches are believed to be involved in the investigation, the newspaper said.

The NFL prohibits betting on its games by players and team employees, as well as “associating with gamblers or gambling activities in a manner tending to bring discredit to the NFL.”

Because of Harlan’s position with the Bears and knowledge of team activities, any gambling activities or relationship with a bookie would be particularly troubling to the NFL.

The Bears announced Friday that Harlan, who had been with the team since 1984, was resigning, but made no mention of the federal investigation. The team said Harlan, 39, was taking a position with the Chicago public relations firm Kendrick Communications.

Harlan allegedly had a relationship with the bookie for more than a year and placed bets on all types of sporting events, the Sun-Times said.

Harlan’s father, Bob, is the president and CEO of the Green Bay Packers, and his brother Kevin is a play-by-play announcer.

Two other former Bear employees also allegedly made wagers with the bookmaker who is at the center of a federal probe, the Sun-Times said. Those employees previously left the team for reasons unrelated to the investigation.

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