Maurice Clarett was bankrolled by an alleged member of an Israeli crime organization after leaving Ohio State, ESPN.com reported on Thursday, and Clarett's attorney said yesterday that his client may have been in possession of firearms last week to protect himself against mob activity. In the late summer of 2004, ESPN said, Clarett traveled to Los Angeles and met Hai Waknine, 35, a convicted felon prosecutors believe is a member of an Israeli crime organization called the Jerusalem Group. Waknine became Clarett's sponsor and provided Clarett with cash, a BMW, bodyguards, drivers and beachfront lodging in Malibu, with the understanding that he would receive 60 percent of Clarett's rookie contract, ESPN reported.