On the Scene -- Ex-Olympics Marketing Chief Pleads Guilty in Porn Case

Krimsky (l), leaves the courthouse in Danbury, CT, with an attorney. (Douglas Healey)(ATR) John Krimsky, once renowned as the marketing chief for the U.S. Olympic Committee, could be on his way to prison for three years after pleading guilty Friday to child pornography charges in a Danbury, CT state court.

Krimsky, 69, also agreed to register as a sex offender for 10 years, submit a sample of his DNA to the state of Connecticut and undergo sex offender evaluation and treatment.

He will be sentenced on Jan. 16 after an investigation into his background.

Krimsky, known for his marketing expertise and hard-driving negotiating skills, raised about $2 billion for the organization as its marketing chief through the 1990’s.

On Friday, Krimsky wore a small U.S. Olympic team shield pin in the lapel of hissignature blue blazer. He told ATR before the hearing that IOC president Avery Brundage presented the pin to him during the 1972 Olympics when he ran Pan American Airline's marketing program.

Krimsky said he always wears this pin, a symbol of better times.

Krimsky's public disgrace began Nov. 30 last year when he was arrested on child pornography charges centering on Internet e-mails. He was released on $50,000 bond. The investigation began with a tip to a police computer crime unit and lasted about three years.

Krimsky's voice cracked slightly Friday as he answered Judge Frank Iannotti's questions about the deal his attorneys brokered in a meeting in judges' chambers.

Iannotti reminded Krimsky that the maximum penalty for the two guilty pleas is up to 20 years and a $15,000 fine for the first charge and 10 years and $10,000 for the second.

Iannotti said Krimsky cannot withdraw his guilty plea as long as he sentences him to no more than three years in jail. If he violates his probation, the sentence will increase to six years. Krimsky also agreed to give up the right to a jury trial. He said he takes a mild sedative, but had not taken it yet on Friday and was clear-headed for his court appearance.

"We have no comment," attorney Norman Pattis said as he and Krimsky rushed out of the courtroom, taking the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator.

Krimsky, who lives in Sherman, CT, was initially charged with four felonies and pleaded not guilty to all of them in December.

He withdrew those pleas Friday and pleaded guilty to one charge of promoting a minor in an obscene performance and one charge of attempting to commit illegal possession of child Krimsky will be sentenced in January. (Douglas Healey)pornography in the second degree.

Prosecutors agreed to drop a second count of promoting a minor in an obscene performance, as well as a charge of illegal possession of child pornography in the third degree. They also reduced the possession charge from first degree to second degree.

Debbie Mabbett, senior assistant state's attorney, told the court that forensic analysis had found 329 images of child erotica or child pornography when it searched Krimsky's computer for the period of 2003-2005. John Krimsky, far right,in June 1995 when Salt Lake City won the right to host the 2002 Winter Olympics. Others on the dais for the signing of the host city contract are IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, USOC President Leroy Walker and Salt Lake City Mayor DeeDee Corradini. (Getty Images)Some images were duplicates, but 13 were positively identified as children.

Krimsky, who assembled an imposing defense team that includes three attorneys, two doctors, a therapist and a case consultant, arrived at the courthouse Friday hoping for a more favorable outcome. He had applied to join an accelerated rehabilitation program which his attorneys called a "second chance" for first offenders.

The judge, however, agreed with prosecutors that Krimsky was ineligible under the Connecticut statute.

Pattis had argued that Krimsky was an "exemplary candidate" for the program based on his character and that he did qualify under the statute.

Pattis also said there was "no threat of re-offense," citing "discreet psychiatric issues" from that period of Krimsky's life.

Pattis could appeal the judge's decision.

The doctors on Krimsky's defense team are expected to testify at the sentencing hearing. Krimsky was not accompanied by any family members Friday. His brother, George, is a well-known Connecticut journalist.

Krimsky was a member of the IOC Collector's Commission, but resigned when the criminal charges came to light. He told ATR that the Olympic Expo in Beijing was his brainchild.

While the Expo was drawing crowds in August, Krimsky was making a court appearance.

Krimsky left the USOC after the 1998 Nagano Olympics for private business. He was president of YankeeNets Properties and chief marketing officer of YankeeNets, a merger between the New York Yankees and New Jersey Nets, and was vice chairman of Salus Healthcare International.

Written by Karen Rosen.