DENVER -- Eagle County authorities are on the defensive over a new development in the Kobe Bryant case. There are published reports that claim Eagle County Sheriff's Department employees ordered some controversial T-shirts featuring the NBA superstar.

Because of intense media attention, Byant's trial in the alleged rape of a 19-year-old hotel worker has given rise to unexpected marketing opportunities. One company is selling T-shirts depicting a hangman stick figure game, Bryant's jersey number 8, and the caption, "I am not a rapist; I'm just a cheater."

The public information officer for the Eagle County Sheriff's Office, Kim Andree, acknowledged that she accepted some free T-shirts for, in her words, "archiving purposes," as part of her job.

SURVEY The Eagle County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman says she accepted free T-shirts that make fun of Kobe Bryant and that other employees may have as well. She asks, "What's the big deal?" Do you agree? Yes. This isn't a big deal. The media blows stuff out of proportion. No. The T-shirts show that law enforcement officers are not objective. It's not a big deal if they accepted a FREE T-shirt but it is a big deal if they went out and bought these shirts. Results  |  Disclaimer

She said that other deputies may have taken the T-shirts too but she has "no knowledge" of an order or cancellation of a large order of T-shirts. Even if the deputies did order the T-shirts, Andree wondered what the big deal was. She said she took "a T-shirt from KOA and from 'Dateline.' Is that a problem too?"

However, 7NEWS legal analyst Craig Silverman said the T-shirt episode is a bad reflection on those bringing the case against Bryant and could impact the trial.

"You can bet Team Kobe is looking for any opportunity. If anybody affiliated with this investigation ordered T-shirts demeaning to Kobe Bryant, they will make an issue of that and it affects law enforcement objectivity," said Silverman.

At this point it's not known if any of the 100 Sheriff's Department staff members took any of the shirts but the sheriff has launched an investigation to try to determine who might have been involved.

The Eagle County District Attorney's Office denied any knowledge or involvement. Bryant's next court appearance in Eagle County is Nov. 13.