FBI charges NCAA hoops coaches with bribery

NEW YORK (Reuters) – US authorities on Tuesday unveiled bribery and fraud charges against 10 people associated with some of the country’s premier college basketball programs, including four coaches and an Adidas AG executive, following a two-year corruption probe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Prosecutors said they uncovered two related schemes, including one in which apparel executives, financial advisers and others bribed assistant college coaches to steer elite players to them, and a second in which players were allegedly bribed to enroll at schools sponsored by Adidas.

The charges reflect what prosecutors called the “criminal influence of money” on NCAA basketball, and the conflicts that could arise from the drive to win and the need to provide student-athletes an education.

Among those charged was Chuck Person, a former NBA star who became associate head coach at Auburn University, his alma mater.

The other coaches charged are Anthony “Tony” Bland, from the University of Southern California; Lamont Evans, from Oklahoma State University and formerly the University of South Carolina; and Emanuel “Book” Richardson, from the University of Arizona.

Among those also charged were James Gatto, director for global sports marketing for basketball at Adidas; Rashan Michel, who runs an Atlanta apparel company; New Jersey money manager Munish Sood; and Christian Dawkins, a former ASM Sports agent who prosecutors said was fired in May.