Jeff Gillooly: A Biography

BirthDate	Sep 15, 1967
BirthPlace	Rochester, New York, USA.
Age	56 Years
Horpscope	Virgo
Ex -Spouse	Tonya Harding
Involvement	Nancy Kerrigan Attack

 

About Jeff Gillooly

Jeff Gillooly, whose name was legally changed to Jeff Stone after the infamous Winter Olympics scandal involving his ex-wife Tonya Harding, was a central figure in the plot to attack figure skater Nancy Kerrigan in 1994. Gillooly orchestrated the assault on Kerrigan with the aim of improving Harding’s chances at the Olympics by eliminating her main competitor. The attack involved Shane Stant striking Kerrigan’s leg with a baton, which garnered significant media attention and led to a criminal investigation.

Early Life and Relationship with Tonya Harding

Three years his junior, Tonya Harding was 15 when Gillooly first met her. Harding's home life was filled with difficulties when they first started dating, including an instance in which her half brother tried to attack her. They were warned of Gillooly's aggressive tendencies, but in 1990 they nonetheless tied the knot. Unfortunately, they had a violent, turbulent marriage that ended in divorce in 1993

Involvement in Nancy Kerrigan Attack

In late December 1993, Gillooly devised a plan to eliminate Nancy Kerrigan from the competition through physical harm. Alongside accomplices Shane Stant, Derrick Smith, and Harding’s bodyguard Shawn Eckardt, they decided to injure Kerrigan’s knee using an iron bar. Stant carried out the attack on January 6, 1994, causing Kerrigan injuries but not enough to prevent her from competing at the Olympics.

Tonya Harding’s Plea Deal and Aftermath

Tonya Harding first denied knowing about the attack, but as part of a plea agreement to avoid going to jail, she eventually acknowledged guilt. Eckardt and Gillooly both suggested that Harding knew about the conspiracy in advance. After the case was tried, Gillooly was sentenced to two years in prison for his part in planning the attack.

After serving his sentence, Jeff Gillooly changed his last name to Stone and distanced himself from the scandal. In interviews since then, he has expressed regret over his actions and their impact on Tonya Harding.