Ex-Auburn assistant basketball coach pleads guilty

NEW YORK (AP) — Former Auburn University assistant coach and 13-year NBA veteran Chuck Person pleaded guilty Tuesday to a bribery conspiracy charge in the widespread college basketball bribery scandal, ensuring that none of the four coaches charged in the probe will go to trial.

Person, 54, of Auburn, Alabama, entered the plea in Manhattan federal court, averting a June trial. He and his lawyer declined to speak afterward and made a quick exit from the courthouse.

Prosecutors said Person accepted $91,500 in bribes to steer players with NBA potential to a Pittsburgh-based financial adviser. As part of the plea, he agreed to forfeit that amount.

Person said he committed his crime in late 2016 and early 2017.

The plea deal has a recommended sentencing guideline range of two to 2½ years in prison, though the sentence will be left up to Judge Loretta A. Preska. The sentencing is scheduled for July 9.

In a release, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said Person “abused his position as a coach and mentor to student-athletes in exchange for personal gain.”

“In taking tens of thousands of dollars in cash bribes, Person not only placed personal financial gain above his obligations to his employer and the student-athletes he coached, but he broke the law,” he said.

Person’s plea falls in line with those recently entered by three other former assistant coaches at major college basketball schools.

Tony Bland, a former Southern California assistant coach; ex-Arizona assistant coach Emanuel “Book” Richardson; and former Oklahoma State assistant coach Lamont Evans are awaiting sentencing.

Their prison terms are likely to be measured in months rather than years.

Person, former associate head coach at Auburn, was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 1986 and played for five NBA teams over 13 seasons.

In court papers, prosecutors said Person arranged multiple meetings between the financial adviser and Auburn players or their family members.

Prosecutors said he failed to tell families and players that he was being bribed to recommend the financial adviser.

In one recorded conversation, prosecutor said, Person warned an Auburn player to keep his relationship with the financial adviser a secret.

According to prosecutors, Person said: “Don’t say nothing to anybody. … Don’t share with your sisters, don’t share with any of the teammates, that’s very important cause this is a violation … of rules, but this is how the NBA players get it done, they get early relationships, and they form partnerships.”

News

Commission approves agreement for roadway improvements at Pryor Field

More Stories

Alabama’s road conditions ranked second best in the United States

More Stories

Gov. Ivey commutes death sentence for 1991 Decatur murder prisoner

More Stories

42nd Alabama State Games registration opens

More Stories

Alabama Republican Party re-elects John Wahl as Chairman

More Stories

Warning siren failure in Limestone County

News

‘Great things ahead’: Mayor Marks shares insights on city’s future in annual address

More Stories

Grammy-nominated singer Angie Stone dies in Montgomery car crash

More Stories

Limestone County outdoor warning sirens malfunctioning

News

Melson disputes patient’s version of conversation regarding purchasing medical cannabis ‘off the street’

More Stories

Homeland Security recognizes ALEA as Partner of the Year

More Stories

Athens earns 2024 Tree City USA recognition from Arbor Day Foundation

More Stories

Teacher of the Year: Anna Thompson

News

‘Justice was served’: Limestone County jury finds Morgan County man guilty of murder after 10-day trial

News

Brookyln’s brave battle: The inspiring journey of a local kids life with spinal muscular atrophy

More Stories

Teacher of the Year: Jennie Fullmer

More Stories

Teacher of the Year: Kaitlin Sparkman

More Stories

Ardmore welcomes new family medicine center

More Stories

Hit and run claims life of Athens man

More Stories

LCSO arrest Athens man for infant abuse

News

Final Curtain Call: Beloved Band Director Dan Havely passes away

News

Calhoun Community College to go virtual due to impending weather

News

Gov. Ivey announces that ArcelorMittal plans $1.2 Billion Alabama mill

More Stories

U.S. Space and Rocket Center announces passing of Maria von Braun, wife of Dr. Wernher von Braun