Tiger Woods says he never rented a moving truck in Sacramento. He says never put $100 down on a used luxury car.
And golf's best player says he never gave 29-year-old Anthony Lemar Taylor of Sacramento permission to charge $17,000 on his credit cards.
Woods was the opening witness in the identity theft trial
against Taylor on Monday. Prosecutors charged Taylor with six
counts of felony identity theft and perjury.
Taylor used Woods's real name -- Eldrick T. Woods -- and social
security number to apply for credit cards, said James Lewis, a
spokesman for the sheriff's office.
Deputy District Attorney Nicolle Liem said Taylor obtained a
fake drivers license in Woods's name.
A Roseville storage locker rented in Woods's name was found
stuffed with TVs, videocassette recorders, furniture, and other
items. Woods denies renting the locker or purchasing the items
found inside.
Defense attorney James Greiner said it was impossible that store
clerks would believe his client was one of the most recognizable
athletes in the world.
"Does he just walk into Circuit City? What they're saying is
Anthony Taylor, my client, walks in and says, 'Hey, I'm Eldrick
Tiger Woods,' " Greiner said.
During the trial, the golfer joked at several questions posed by
Liem, including one about the used luxury car bought in his name.
"Sure it's not a Buick?'' he said, referring to one of his
multimillion-dollar endorsement deals.
Woods said he usually pays cash for his purchases and rarely
goes on shopping sprees.
"I hate shopping. I have never liked it. I don't like picking
out things. I'd rather go play (golf),'' Woods said.
The trial is expected to last until the middle of next month.
