Tiger Woods Says His Identity Stolen

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) â€” Tiger Woods says he never rented a moving truck in Sacramento. He says never put $100 down on a used luxury car. <br><br>And golf's best player says he never gave 29-year-old

Tuesday, December 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) â€” 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' real name â€” Eldrick T. Woods â€” 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' name.

A Roseville storage locker rented in Woods' 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.