Gupta lawyers question Blankfein on confidential data

Lawyers for Goldman Sachs Group director Rajat Gupta, showcasing another pillar of their defense, tried to cast doubt Friday on government claims that corporate information allegedly passed by Gupta to hedge-fund manager Raj Rajaratnam was actually confidential.

Gary Naftalis, Gupta's lawyer, quizzed Goldman Sachs Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein about whether it was publicly known in July 2008 that Goldman Sachs was considering buying a commercial bank. As part of his questioning, Naftalis showed jurors several analyst reports from the time that mentioned meetings with senior Goldman Sachs managers.

REUTERS

Former Goldman Sachs Group Inc board member Rajat Gupta (right) arrives at Manhattan Federal Court with lawyer Gary Naftalis today.

Prosecutors have alleged that Gupta confirmed to Rajaratnam, co-founder of Galleon Group, rumors that the investment bank's directors had discussed the possibility of acquiring a bank or an insurer at a strategic meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia, in late June 2008. The alleged tip occurred on a July 29, 2008, wiretapped phone conversation: the only call captured on tape between the two men and played earlier in the trial. However, Rajaratnam never traded on the information, prosecutors said.

Naftalis's line of questioning came in the third day of testimony by Blankfein, one of the last witnesses expected to be called by the government. Prosecutors are expected to rest their case Friday. "Items your senior management disclosed to analysts are no longer confidential under Goldman's confidentially policy?," Naftalis said.

"Yes," Blankfein said.

Prosecutors have alleged that Gupta, also a former director of Procter & Gamble Co., secretly provided confidential information about Goldman Sachs and P&G to Rajaratnam, who was convicted of insider-trading charges last year and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Gupta has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and securities-fraud charges.

Blankfein testified earlier this week that items discussed by the company's board were confidential and that he never authorized Gupta to provide information from board discussions to anyone outside the investment bank.

To read more, go to The Wall Street Journal

Goldman Sachs, Goldman Sachs Group Inc, Raj Rajaratnam, Rajat Gupta, Goldman Sachs Group director Rajat Gupta, Gary Naftalis, Galleon Group, Manhattan Federal Court, commercial bank, Naftalis, investment bank

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Greece dealing with scoring drought

WARSAW, Poland — Since taking over as Greece coach two years ago, Fernando Santos has made the team more attack-minded, typically fielding three strikers.

The problem is they don’t score.

On the eve of the European Championship’s opening game Friday between Greece and co-host Poland, Santos will be looking for Georgios Samaras, Dimitris Salpigidis and Fanis Gekas to take on Poland’s often erratic defense.

The attacking trio only scored a goal each in qualifying, while five of the country’s 14 goals came from defenders. Samaras also had a quiet season for his club team in Scotland, scoring four league goals for champion Celtic in 26 appearances. And last week, he failed to convert a penalty for Greece in a friendly against Armenia, his shot stopped by an impressive save from Roman Berezovki.

But the towering 27-year-old Samaras insists Greece doesn’t have “a scoring problem. The friendly matches mean nothing.

“The (missed) penalty is over,” he added. “I’m looking ahead, not at the past. I just want to be in good shape to help the team.”

Despite his widely acknowledged skills as a player, Samaras has scored only seven goals for Greece in his 54 matches since 2006. Those goals, however, tend to be decisive.

Samaras turned the game in Greece’s key qualifier in October against main rival Croatia, firing in a shot in the 71st minute that was followed by a Gekas header eight minutes later to make it 2-0.

It was a moment, Samaras said he would never forget, providing relief in a country demoralized by a severe financial crisis.

“I don’t like making promises or making bold statements. But we have the Croatia game on our minds,” he said. “It made people happy and gave them a chance to forget about their problems. We’d like to do that here too.”

Similar to Samaras, the once free-scoring Salpigidis has only tallied five goals for PAOK Thessaloniki in the league this season in 29 games. His national team replacement on the right, attacking midfielder Sotiris Ninis, played six matches for his club Panathinaikos this season, scoring one goal.

The 32-year-old Gekas, who came out of international retirement to join Santos, has arguably had the best year out of Greece’s forwards. He scored eight times in 11 matches with Turkey’s lowly Samsunspor, before his season was cut short by a knee injury. His successes included a hat trick in February against Turkish league runner-up Fenerbahce.

Greece also faces Russia and Czech Republic in Group A.

Georgios Samaras, Fernando Santos, Dimitris Salpigidis, WARSAW, Poland, Poland, Greece coach, Croatia

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Kenneth Cole board approves designer's takeover

Fashion designer Kenneth Cole will soon own his namesake company in a deal worth $245 million.

The clothing and accessories company says its board has approved Cole's offer to buy up the part of the company that he doesn't already own for $15.25 per share.

That's above his earlier offer of $15 per share, from February, and represents a 17 percent premium to the New York company's stock price before his initial bid.

Kenneth Cole is currently the chairman and chief creative officer of Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. and holds nearly half its outstanding common stock.

The designer says Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. will be able to grow better as a private company than as a public one focused on short-term results.

Shares are up 3.6 percent on the news.

Kenneth Cole Productions Inc., Fashion designer Kenneth Cole, private company, Cole

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Nike to sell Cole Haan and Umbro soccer gear

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Nike says it plans to sell two of its brands — Umbro soccer gear and Cole Haan shoes and accessories — to cut costs and focus on its namesake brand.

The company says more potential lies in its Nike products and its Jordan, Converse and Hurley brands.

Strong demand for Nike's shoes and clothes has helped the company charge past many rivals. But, like most consumer product makers, Nike Inc. faces rising costs for packaging, fuel and other raw materials.

It recently launched two high-profile lines: FlyKnit lightweight shoes and Nike+ training software and gear.

The Beaverton, Ore.-based company acquired Cole Haan in 1988 and UK-based Umbro in 2008.

Cole Haan shoes, Nike, Nike Inc., BEAVERTON, Ore., lightweight shoes, Umbro, company, Cole Haan

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Jets ink pair of tackles

Further signaling their unease with Wayne Hunter, the Jets added a pair of veteran offensive linemen yesterday, as they signed Stephon Heyer and Ray Willis.

The two linemen have 61 NFL starts between them, and their signings mark the first time this offseason Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum has addressed the lack of line depth that was a major problem last year.

Heyer and Willis can play multiple line positions, but they most likely are being brought in to give Hunter further competition at right tackle after he struggled mightily in 2011.

Heyer, who recently worked out for the line-starved Patriots, appeared in 12 games at guard — including two starts — with the Raiders last season after making 33 starts at both tackle spots for the Redskins from 2007-10.

Joseph E. Amaturo

New jets lineman Stephon Heyer gets a talking to from Giants' Antonio Pierce in 2008.

Willis hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since 2009 due to injury after making 26 starts in five seasons at tackle for the Seahawks.

bhubbuch@nypost.com

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Belmont Park Charts

May 28th, 2012 Clear And Fast. Turf : Firm.

©2012 Equibase. All Rights Reserved

FIRST-1 1/16m; $28,000; cl($14,000); 3up

Off: 12:50. 5. vie btwn 5/16-upper

Time: 23.25, 47.01, 1:11.15, 1:35.83, 1:42.38.

Trainer: David Jacobson Scr: Person of Interest.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Eltheeb

122

3

4

3

1 1

1 2 1/4

Cohen

2.15

Gospel Lesson

122

7

3

4

3 6

2 1 3/4

Ortiz, Jr.

6.00

Hill Crossing

122

6

2

2

2 1

3 3 1/2

Castro

1.35

Macho Muchacho

122

1

7

8

4 hd

4 nk

Castellan

6.30

Crepe Au Sucre

122

5

8

7

5 2

5 8 3/4

Lezcano

9.70

Marquet Rebel

115

2

1

1

6 4 1/2

6 6 1/4

Garcia

57.50

French Transition

122

4

6

6

7 7

7 18 3/4

Espinoz

59.00

Stud Muffin

122

8

5

5

8

8

Hsbnds

20.20

3-Eltheeb

6.30

3.90

2.30

7-Gospel Lesson

6.90

3.30

6-Hill Crossing

2.10

* Exacta (3-7) $42.80 * Superfecta (3-7-6-1) $204.50 * Trifecta (3-7-6) $81.00 * Winner picked by Fountaine, Affrunti, Debbie L., Consensus

SECOND-1 1/16m(T); $81,000; alw opt clm; 3up; (f&m)

Off: 1:23. Good. slip by ins,brisk urge

Time: 26.29, 52.24, 1:16.29, 1:38.93, 1:44.72.

Trainer: Christophe Clement

Scr: The Underling, Whipsaw City, Acting Happy, Cee the Country, Twice the Lady.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Fontley

121

2

3

3

1 1/2

1 1 1/4

Lezcano

5.60

La Cloche

121

1

5

6

5 1/2

2 no

Castro

5.80

Blue Maiden

123

3

6

5

4 2

3 1/2

Leparoux

1.15

Salary Drive

121

5

2

2

3 1

4 hd

Castellan

4.20

Sure Route

121

6

1

1

2 1/2

5 3

Garcia

11.70

Prize Catch

121

7

4

4

6 1

6 1/2

Maragh

8.20

Little Often Anni

121

4

7

7

7

7

Naprvnk

15.20

2-Fontley

13.20

7.40

3.70

1-La Cloche

7.00

3.70

4-Blue Maiden

2.30

* Daily Double (3-2) $33.00 * Exacta (2-1) $51.50 * Quinella (1-2) $25.20 * Superfecta (2-1-4-7) $390.50 * Trifecta (2-1-4) $127.50 *

Winner picked by Vic C.

THIRD-6f; $55,000; mdn spcl wt; 3up

Off: 1:55. Good. argued ins, hand urged

Time: 22.28, 44.99, 56.87, 1:09.47.

Trainer: Assaf Ronen Scr: Mr Algebra.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Even Got Quiet

118

1

2

1

1 3

1 3 3/4

Desrme

12.40

Readthebyline

118

7

5

3

3 4

2 3 1/2

Ortiz, Jr.

6.90

Fair Trade

118

4

1

2

2 1

3 6

Garcia

2.40

Smokem's Charm

118

6

3

4

4 1 1/2

4 3 3/4

Napravnk

2.35

Bob and Jim

118

9

4

5

5 2

5 4 1/4

Dmngez

10.90

Geantor

118

2

6

6

6 1 1/2

6 2

Nakatani

9.30

Stone Picker

118

3

8

7

7 1 1/2

7 2 1/2

Velasqez

8.50

Crushin Rock

118

5

7

8

8 4

8 5 1/4

Velzqez

10.20

Breathaway

118

8

9

9

9

9

Castelln

33.75

1-Even Got Quiet

26.80

10.80

5.00

7-Readthebyline

6.80

3.70

4-Fair Trade

2.90

* Pick 3 (3-2-1) 3 Correct $519.00 * Daily Double (2-1) $216.50 * Exacta (1-7) $121.00 * Superfecta (1-7-4-6) $836.00 * Trifecta (1-7-4) $289.00 *

FOURTH-11/16m(T); $31,000; cl($20,000); 3up

Off: 2:26. Good. 4w pursuit, good kick

Time: 24.15, 49.48, 1:14.17, 1:38.42, 1:44.92.

Next >

1

2

3

Debbie L., Trifecta

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Listen to Larry: You gotta get along with Dolan

New SMU coach Larry Brown said his primary advice to Mike Woodson is to get along with Knicks owner James Dolan.

Brown said that’s his lone regret from his disastrous season with the Knicks and he believes Woodson won’t make the same mistake. Brown also told The Post yesterday he believes Woodson did the right thing in changing agents from Joe Glass, also Brown’s longtime representative, who sparred with Dolan during the well-publicized contract dispute between the team and Brown in 2006.

Glass had done Woodson’s prior contracts, but The Post reported Dolan requested he make a change.

“At the end of the day, we [have] got to do what’s best for Woody,’’ Brown said. “He’s going to have a long relationship with Dolan and that situation should not affect Mike Woodson. You know how it ended with me. It got heated between Mr. Dolan and Joe. Woody shouldn’t be penalized for that. I tried to tell everybody, the most important thing is to give Woody an opportunity to work for the Knicks.

“During my stay, my biggest problem is I didn’t establish a relationship with Dolan,’’ added Brown, who feuded with former president Isiah Thomas. “I went through the chain of command and that was a mistake. I told Woody, [Dolan] wants to win.’’

Brown first got to know Woodson when he coached him with the Nets. Woodson served under Brown as an assistant in Philadelphia and Detroit, where they won the NBA title in 2004 and Woodson established himself as a defensive guru.

“I’m proud what he did — he did phenomenal for me,’’ Brown said. “He’s a great guy, players love him, he knows how to coach and he’s a loyal guy. It’s a great situation. When the chance came up to work for Mike [D’Antoni], he called me [last summer] and I thought it would be great for him. Unfortunately it was sad Mike’s not there. But it worked out for Mike Woodson.’’

Woodson posted an 18-6 regular-season finish after taking over for D’Antoni, who resigned in March. “He did an amazing job under the circumstances,’’ Brown said. “He held that team together.’’

Brown said if he were still bitter about his Knicks stint, he would never have recommended Woodson take the job.

“I can’t talk about why it happened [his Knicks departure] but it never has been a factor with Woody,’’ Brown said. “I want him there. He loves the team. He loves New York. He loves working with [general manager Glen] Grunwald and Mr. Dolan’s been great to him. When you work in an environment where they want to win and everyone’s pulling together, it’s a great situation to be in.

“If I have bad feelings, why would I want him to work there initially and to continue there,’’ Brown added. “I want him there. It’s great for him, great for the league, great for Mr. Dolan. I told him the owner wants to win badly and you’ll never have a franchise where the fans are more knowledgable and passionate.’’

Woodson played under legendary Knicks coach Red Holzman his rookie year and invokes his name often. Holzman is one of Brown’s idols too, having met him when he was a teenager in Long Beach. Woodson also played for Bob Knight and Cotton Fitzsimmons before learning under Brown.

“If you’re Knick coach and don’t revere what Red did, something’s wrong with you,’’ Brown said. “He has an amazing background with guys who knew how to teach and play the right way.’’

Brown, after being fired by the Bobcats during the 2010-11 season, was hired at SMU this spring and will bring the program into the Big East in 2013-14.

“I get to work with young kids and at a good school and coach in the Big East,’’ said Brown, who formerly had college stints at UCLA and Kansas.

marc.berman@nypost.com

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