PI in Saraland eligibility case makes major adjustment to his findings

In an affidavit dated Monday, private investigator Eric Winberg clarifies several statements that could loom large in the case of Saraland’s football eligibility.

Winberg said his investigation firm, Winberg, LLC, was hired by John Quinnelly Sr. to conduct surveillance on the residence of a Daphne family that had moved to Saraland. That family includes a 15-year-old star football player for the Spartans.

Emails sent by Quinnelly to various media outlets in recent weeks alleged the player’s family did not make a bona fide move therefore making him ineligible and his team ineligible for the Class 6A playoffs, which begin Friday.

Quinnelly has said he believes the evidence provided during a 48-day investigation could show the player’s father continued to spend some nights in Daphne, which could be a violation of the AHSAA’s bona fide rule move.

The AHSAA opened an investigation into the matter this week, according to several sources. However, in the Monday affidavit obtained by AL.com, Winberg said he was unaware that the family operated a business out of the Daphne residence and said that evidence changes his original findings.

“Recently, I became aware (the father) operated a dog kennel and breeding business at the Daphne residence,” he said. “Based on my understanding of (the father’s) business operation, I cannot conclude he lived or resided at the Daphne residence during my company’s investigation.”

Winberg also added:

“Moreover, based on my understanding of (the father’s) business operation, my investigation efforts cannot conclude (the father) was ever at the Daphne residence during the surveillance period for anything other than legitimate business purposes.”

Winberg concluded “based on the information I and my company now have, I cannot confirm nor deny that the family and specifically the father have violated any AHSAA guidelines or regulations.

Saraland City Schools filed a lawsuit against Quinnelly and Winberg last week. A preliminary hearing in the case was continued until Nov. 21 by Mobile Circuit Judge Jay York.

Saraland (9-1) is scheduled to host Wetumpka on Friday. If the AHSAA were to rule the player ineligible, it would impact as many as seven Class 6A teams two days before the first round of the playoffs.

An AHSAA decision on its case is expected today.

“Mr. Winberg has been very cooperative with Saraland City Schools since we have filed suit and he has given us written proof that he advised Mr. Quinnelly to abide by our cease and desist letters prior to our filing suit,” Saraland attorney Nash Campbell told AL.com on Wednesday morning. “Mr. Quinnelly obviously refused.

“As for the affidavit, Mr. Winberg is clarifying that his initial conclusions were based on circumstantial evidence. Mr. Winberg also clarifies in paragraphs 8 and 9 that he cannot conclude the parent was at the Daphne residence for anything other than a legitimate business purpose nor that AHSAA rules were violated, which is extremely important because Mr. Quinnelly initially stated the AHSAA was covering up an alleged illegal bona fide move based on Mr. Winberg’s evidence. Since the filing of this suit, Mr. Quinnelly has walked his statements back somewhat by now saying ‘there may be’ a rule violation.”

Winberg said he prepared and provided his initial summary to Quinnelly on Oct. 20. He said he was aware Quinnelly might share the findings with the AHSAA, but he had no expectation — and never authorized — the report to be shared with any third party or media outlet outside the AHSAA.

This story will be updated