UNLV assistant coach formally charged in strip club incident

The Boulder, Colo., District Attorney's office formally charged soon-to-be-former UNLV football assistant coach Ty Gregorak on Thursday with a felony count of trespass of an automobile with intent to commit a crime and a misdemeanor theft count.

Gregorak, 31, had been charged with prohibited use of a weapon by Boulder police, but that was changed to the theft charge by prosecutors.

Gregorak, who was informed Tuesday by UNLV athletic director Jim Livengood he would not return after June 30, was charged in an advisement hearing. His next scheduled court date is June 1.

"It is important to remember that these charges are allegations only," David Beller, Gregorak's attorney, said via e-mail. "Thankfully, Ty is presumed innocent and looks forward to having his name cleared."

Police had alleged that Gregorak stole a .45-caliber gun and wallet from a Boulder strip club bouncer early on May 1. The bouncer, Joseph Benedetto, had refused Gregorak entry into the strip club because he said Gregorak was drunk.

Beller said by phone that Gregorak wouldn't have known which car belonged to Benedetto. Also, Beller said he doesn't know how there was no sign of forced entry if the car was locked, as Benedetto maintained to police.

"At this point, Ty's statement is he doesn't remember much of the evening at all," Beller said. "Ty can't answer that (second) question. So we need to turn to the Boulder Police Department for the answer, and it's a question the Boulder Police Department hasn't provided any evidence that Ty had broken into the car.

"We are investigating the events of the entire night and will try to determine whether Ty was with another individual who could've done this or maybe had come across the wallet and gun and given them to Ty. We simply don't know. We hope the Boulder Police Department can answer those questions for us."

Gregorak was UNLV's recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach. He was told Tuesday he could resign or have his contract expire June 30 without it being renewed. Gregorak has not resigned.

Beller's e-mail hinted that Gregorak might be able to keep his job. By phone, Beller said, "Ty's future still has not been determined or has not been finalized."

But Livengood stood by his previous statement. "Nothing has changed," he said. "He is not going to be returning."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.