Player charged in point shaving

The Associated Press

Published Saturday, March 31, 2007

Federal authorities charged a University of Toledo football player yesterday in connection with a point-shaving scheme.

Harvey "Scooter" McDougle Jr. recruited Toledo football and basketball players to participate in the scheme orchestrated by a Sterling Heights, Mich., man identified only as "Gary," according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court.

McDougle was arraigned yesterday on charges of participating in a bribery scheme to influence sporting contests, The Detroit News reported on its Web site. He was released on a $10,000 bond, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for April 20.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Virginia Morgan told McDougle he should not discuss the case with the media or anyone else.

The charge carries a sentence of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine upon conviction.

"Gary" allegedly invited the athletes to gamble and dine at Greektown Casino in Detroit. One player was offered $10,000 to sit out a football game, while others received cash, groceries, merchandise and other gifts, the complaint said.

McDougle, a 22-year-old senior from East Cleveland, Ohio, told FBI investigators he received a car, telephone and other items of value from "Gary" but insisted he never changed the way he played to affect the outcome of games.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Morris, who is handling the case, wouldn’t confirm yesterday whether more people would be charged in the case.

The complaint gave no indication that players threw any games as part of the scheme, the Detroit Free Press reported.

A message seeking comment was left with a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office last night.

● PURDUE WR STABBED: Purdue wide receiver Selwyn Lymon was stabbed in the chest and said he was attacked at a nightclub near the campus.

The 20-year-old player was listed in fair condition at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lafayette, Ind., after being in critical condition earlier in the day, Purdue spokesman Tom Schott said.

Lymon arrived at the hospital about 2:45 a.m. with a stab wound to the upper chest and told medical workers he was attacked close to the campus, said John Walker, deputy chief of West Lafayette Police Department.

Police officers were called to the parking lot of Nick’s Nightclub about 2:15 a.m. to a report of a fight in progress.

Walker said officers found about 30 people in the lot, but they dispersed without incident. Police had several witnesses to interview, Walker said.