Jan 13th 2009 8:06AM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
The Inspector General of the Department of Justice says that the United States Marshals Service used federal vehicles and on-duty agents to give rides to Fox broadcasters Joe Buck and Troy Aikman at last year’s Super Bowl.

The Smoking Gun has the full report, which also says the U.S. Marshals inappropriately gave rides to Buck and Tim McCarver at the World Series. The Department of Justice investigation centered on a lawyer for the Marshals Service, Joseph Band, who also worked as a Fox Sports statistician.

A Fox spokesman gave the New York Times the following statement:
“At select events, he did offer transportation to some Fox Sports personnel. We were unaware, however, that those arrangements were in any way inappropriate, and regret to learn now that they apparently were.”
It’s surprising that Fox wouldn’t be aware that it’s inappropriate for federal vehicles and on-duty agents to be giving rides to sportscasters. While no one is accusing Buck, Aikman or McCarver of breaking any laws, they should have known better. It would be nice if Buck and Aikman offered an apology on the air before Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.