I found this on one of my sports message boards. It is from an Illini fan who has given us a transcript of the interview between Ed Martin and the university.
_
« IlliniBoard.com Hoops Forum
Excerpt from Michigan–Ed Martin investigation
Posted by Swish <mailto:waynesworld@illicom.net> on Tue 4/2/02 at 10:12:44 p.m.
Ed Martin: You want answers?
U of Michigan Internal Investigator: I think I’m entitled to them.
Ed Martin: You want answers?
U of Michigan Internal Investigator: I want the truth!
Ed Martin: You can’t handle the truth! Son, we have a program that needs top flight recruits. And those recruits have to be procured by men with money. Who’s gonna do it? You? Steve Fisher? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Bo Shembechler and you curse Don Canham. You have that luxury. You have that luxury of not knowing what I know. That the money I paid Chris Webber and others, while tragic, probably was the reason they were at Michigan. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, brought the majority of players to Michigan…You don’t want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me handing out that cash.You need me handing out that cash!
You use words like National Champions, Victors Valiant, Champions of the West, Leaders and Best… you use these words as the backbone to your arogant,delusional existence. I use them as a means to launder cash. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the winning basketball I provide,then questions the manner in which I provide it! I’d rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a checkbook and a blank National Letter of Intent. Either way,I don’t give a damn what you think you’re entitled to!
U of Michigan Internal Investigator: Did you pay Chris Webber?
Ed Martin: (quietly) I did the job you sent me to do.
U of Michigan Internal Investigator: Did you pay Chris Webber?
Ed Martin: You’re goddamn right I did!
_
Here’s Mitch Albom’s take on it also: