TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) -Point-shaving allegations against a former University of Toledo basketball player are related to gambling charges filed last year against a former Toledo football player, an FBI spokeswoman said.
Sammy Villegas, a guard who finished his college career in 2006, is accused of shaving points in games during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons. The allegations by federal prosecutors became known last week.
Running back Harvey “Scooter” McDougle Jr. was charged in April 2007 with participating in a bribery scheme to influence sporting contests. A month later, those charges were dropped, but the investigation continued.
“The charges against Mr. Villegas are part of a larger investigation that encompasses Mr. McDougle, and that investigation is ongoing,” said Sandra Berchtold, an FBI spokeswoman in Detroit.
Federal prosecutors filed a bill of information in U.S. District Court in Detroit on June 30 that also accused Villegas of paying another player who took part in the point-shaving ring.
McDougle’s attorney, James Burdick, said this week that authorities haven’t indicated that Villegas is connected with the charges against McDougle.
“I have not heard from anyone, the district attorney or the FBI, that there was anything new of relevance against my client,” he said.
A university spokesman last week described the cases as isolated incidents.
Add A Comment