NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Federal regulators are searching for the assets of an Atlanta hedge-fund firm that allegedly defrauded several current and former professional football players along with its other clients, according to a published report.

The Wall Street Journal, which first reported a lawsuit by the football players against the hedge fund, International Management Associates LLC, said that federal regulators worked to track down the fund's assets over the weekend, according to sources familiar with the matter, but the amount and location of client assets isn't yet certain.

The lawsuit was filed by Terrell Davis, Steve Atwater, Rod Smith, Ray Crockett, Blaine Bishop and Al Smith, are all either current or former members of the Denver Broncos, and Clyde Simmons, who played for five teams, primarily the Philadelphia Eagles.

Late last week, a Georgia state judge froze the assets of the firm in response to claims filed by attorneys for the players and other investors. The fund allegedly managed assets of $150 million.

The Journal reported Wednesday that fund CEO Kirk Wright told the papers' sources that one unnamed investor threatened his life. The newspaper could not reach him for comment.

Another fund executive, Chief Operating Officer Nelson Keith Bond, traveled to the Dominican Republic over the weekend, according to the newspaper's sources, but he and the other principals are believed to be in the Atlanta area.

The Journal also reports that Tom Birk, the firm's marketer on the West Coast, resigned. In a letter to clients, Birk said he quit after the principals failed to return calls when allegations surfaced last week.

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