Before Maurice Claretts arrest last week on a weapons charge, the former Ohio State University football standout had received threats and was concerned for his safety, his lawyers say. Yesterday, attorney Dominic Mango said that some of that concern might stem from Claretts connection with a man convicted of racketeering in Los Angeles. Hai Waknine, 35, who authorities have said is connected with an Israeli organizedcrime cartel known as the Jerusalem Group, was convicted of racketeering in June. Authorities say the syndicate has made money through loan-sharking, extortion, money laundering and illegal gambling in several countries. ESPN has reported that Clarett, 22, met Waknine in Los Angeles in 2004. Waknine was under indictment at the time on 46 counts of racketeering, extortion, conspiracy and other charges related to an alleged scheme to hide money embezzled from an Israeli bank.