■FIGURE SKATING
Lutai charged with larceny
Russian figure skater Andrei Lutai has been arrested and jailed for stealing a car and driving drunk, police said on Tuesday, after he finished 10th in a skating competition in upstate New York. Lutai, 23, who finished 9th in the figure skating world championships in March, was stopped by police about 11pm on Sunday in Lake Placid, New York. He had been in Lake Placid for a Skate America competition. “The defendant was stopped operating a vehicle that had been reported stolen earlier in the evening,” Lake Placid Assistant Police Chief William Moore said. “The defendant was found to be driving while intoxicated.” He said the vehicle Lutai is accused of taking had been parked behind a service station. Lutai, from St Petersburg, is charged with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and aggravated driving while intoxicated, Moore said. He was being held in county jail on US$100,000 bail.
■FOOTBALL
Bengals sign Larry Johnson
Controversial running back Larry Johnson signed a contract on Tuesday to represent the Cincinnati Bengals in a backup role, the league’s official Web site said. Johnson was released by the Kansas City Chiefs eight days before after being suspended for “conduct detrimental to the club.” “He’s starting from scratch,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told a news conference. “He knows what he has at stake and at risk. He gets an opportunity to start anew, just like anybody would. He’s paid the price for what’s gone on in his past, things he’s said, things he’s done.” The Bengals waived defensive tackle Orien Harris to open a spot on the roster for Johnson, who will give the AFC North leaders depth in the position for the rest of the season. Johnson, 29, was released by the Chiefs on Nov. 9 after his former club and the NFL had investigated alleged comments made by the player. According to the Kansas City Star, Johnson posted demeaning comments, directed at Chiefs coach Todd Haley, on his Twitter feed hours after the 37-7 loss to the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 25. The newspaper reported Johnson also used derogatory language in a reply to a follower on Twitter and to a reporter.
■BASEBALL
Yankees forgo Mitre option
The New York Yankees have declined their US$1.25 million option for right-hander Sergio Mitre, the team said on Tuesday. Mitre joined the team in late July and went 3-3 with a 6.79 ERA in 12 games. He sat out the first 50 games while serving a suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. Over six seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins and Yankees, the 28-year-old Mitre is 13-26 with a 5.56 ERA. He is now eligible for salary arbitration.
■FOOTBALL
Ravens waive Hauschka
The Baltimore Ravens waived second-year kicker Steve Hauschka on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after he missed a 36-yard field goal in a 16-0 win over the Cleveland Browns. “We entered the season knowing that we would have to go through some growing pains with Steve,” Ravens’ general manager Ozzie Newsome said on the team’s Web site. “That happens with most new kickers in the NFL. But, for where we are as a team today, we need more consistent production from our kicker,” Newsome said. Hauschka connected on nine of 13 field goals this year. Baltimore (5-4) are expected to sign either former New York Jets kicker Mike Nugent or ex-Dallas Cowboys kicker Billy Cundiff, both of whom worked out for the team last week.
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