Colangelo resigns from 76ers; burner Twitter accounts linked to wife

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryan Colangelo resigned Thursday as president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers in the wake of what an investigation found was “careless and in some instances reckless” share of sensitive team information.

The independent review by a law firm did not determine that Colangelo operated or was even aware of Twitter accounts that anonymously trashed some of his own players and fellow executives, and defended him against criticism from fans and the sports media.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP said evidence supported the conclusion that Colangelo’s wife, Barbara Bottini, operated the four accounts it investigated, and she admitted to doing so.

In statement following resignation as 76ers president, Bryan Colangelo says: "I vigorously dispute the allegation that my conduct was in any way reckless. At no point did I ever
purposefully or directly share any sensitive, non-public, club-related information with her.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 7, 2018

But the team says it had “become clear Bryan’s relationship with our team and his ability to lead the 76ers moving forward has been compromised” and that it had accepted his resignation.

It’s a stunning fall for Colangelo, a former Phoenix Suns front office executive and two-time Executive of the Year who was expected to lead the improving 76ers into an important summer when they are hoping to add an All-Star player to a young core that includes Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

Here's what the Paul Weiss investigation concluded. pic.twitter.com/lpk7WjjLe9

— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) June 7, 2018

Colangelo worked in the Suns’ front office beginning in 1991 and took over as general manager in 1995, serving in that regard until 2006. He is the son of former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo.