YOU BET I QUIT
Carton leaves WFAN to face fraud, gamble woes
NOW IT’S JUST the Boomer show.
Acerbic radio sports host Craig Carton resigned Wednesday from WFAN’s “Boomer and Carton” morning show days after he was arrested and charged with running a ticket-sale Ponzi scheme.
“For 10 years I’ve had the great privilege of showing up to work every day at my dream job,” Carton said in a statement. “I have nothing but love and respect for my co-host, the show and the entire CBS Radio family and I’ve always tried to represent them in the best possible light.
“Unfortunately, the unfounded legal issues currently plaguing me will only be a distraction to everyone at WFAN and the show I helped build. With that in mind, I have submitted my resignation to the station and they accepted. I am sad to see this chapter of my life close but know that it will allow me to focus on my family, my well-being and clearing my name, while giving the show the best opportunity to succeed without further disruption.”
Carton (photo) had already been suspended from the station.
“WFAN has accepted Craig Carton’s resignation,” CBS Radio said in a statement. “We appreciate all of his contributions over the last decade and wish him and his family well during this next phase.”
The statement said the station will begin a search for Carton’s replacement immediately.
Federal authorities arrested Carton last week, saying in papers filed in Manhattan Federal Court that he tried to raise millions of dollars in 2016 to pay gambling debts to casinos and others.
Authorities said Carton falsely told investors that he and others could score big profits by selling large blocks of tickets to acts including Katy Perry, Adele, Justin Bieber and Barbra Streisand.
Carton, 48, of Manhattan, remains free on $500,000 bail.
Carton hosted the morning show for a decade with former Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason.
Esiason awkwardly announced his partner’s arrest on air last Wednesday after initially telling listeners that Carton had called in sick.
Carton and an associate, Michael Wright, 41, of Upper Saddle River, N.J., were charged with securities fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy in the $5.6 million scheme.
Carton earned $250,000 at WFAN.