The lawyer for Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber asked a federal judge Tuesday to order Free Press sports columnist Mitch Albom to testify at Webber's upcoming criminal trial.

Attorney Steve Fishman of Detroit says Albom can rebut government allegations that Webber received $280,000 from University of Michigan basketball booster Eddie Martin during Webber's glory days as a member of the Fab Five basketball team. Robert Morgan of Detroit, lawyer for Webber's father, joined in the request.

The Free Press has rejected Fishman's request, saying Albom is a journalist and as such he does not need to testify.

"Anybody that can testify to the truth that Chris Webber didn't have any money while at the University of Michigan is critical to his defense, whether they're Mitch Albom or Joe Blow," Fishman said Tuesday after filing the request.

The Free Press' attorney, Herschel Fink, disagreed.

"We aren't in the business of providing expert witnesses for everyone who would like to use the credibility of a journalist for their own purposes," Fink said. "The courts are sensitive to this problem and have created a privilege for journalists."