Auburn in TROUBLE

[IrishLax]

This came out on the Paul Finebaum show last week during SEC media days. What Sheridan said may be completely true, but for anything to happen, the NCAA (who has no subpoena power) will have to somehow convince that "bag man" to come forward and admit that he gave money to the Newtons. Don't count on this ever happening.

Three letters: F.B.I.

This whole case hinges on the FBI uncovering something or putting the screws on someone to get testimony on paper. If they do that, Auburn will burn.

 

[Rocket89]

There are actually a lot of programs that have been hit with penalties the same amount or more than Auburn (SMU, ASU, FSU, OK, etc), but Auburn is right up there. USC has been put on probation and hit with sanctions SIX times, so they are just as dirty (and their own alumnus came out last month and admitted he and many other players took cash in the last 70's/early 80's, which they didn't get caught for).

This would be No. 7 for Auburn, no?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Three letters: F.B.I.

This whole case hinges on the FBI uncovering something or putting the screws on someone to get testimony on paper. If they do that, Auburn will burn.

But is the FBI looking for dirt on individual schools, or just on the BCS in general? That's the million dollar question.

 

[NDinL.A.]

This would be No. 7 for Auburn, no?

#8

 

[IrishLax]

But is the FBI looking for dirt on individual schools, or just on the BCS in general? That's the million dollar question.

To my knowledge, right now there is an investigation going on because $200k is a lot of money........ and you have to pay taxes on that.

 

[justinpham]

1. Has anyone been on probation more than Auburn? I don't know myself, but I don't think it's likely.

2. Is there any place where cheating is so INGRAINED in the culture of the school?

3. Some of Auburn's past transgressions make the Reggie Bush fisaco look like amateur hour.

This list of teams sanctioned in NCAA history is about three months old and is not completely updated, but it is nice fodder to keep you busy during the offseason.

https://sportsdelve.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/ncaa-probation-and-college-football/

 

[NDinL.A.]

This list of teams sanctioned in NCAA history is about three months old and is not completely updated, but it is nice fodder to keep you busy during the offseason.

https://sportsdelve.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/ncaa-probation-and-college-football/

Thanks Justin. Great list. My list came from the LA Times, which was counting violations from all sports...

 

[ndfi78]

FBI is investigating major boosters at Auburn, not Auburn itself. They care about the gambling corruption, not if some player got paid.

 

[IrishLax]

FBI is investigating major boosters at Auburn, not Auburn itself. They care about the gambling corruption, not if some player got paid.

And you think those two are mutually exclusive because............

If you take $200k and don't report it as income you get jail time. This isn't some laughing matter. People avoiding paying income tax is a big reason we have the national debt as high as we do. The point is if in digging around on their boosters information comes out about Cam Newton it is NOT going to be ignored. The same way a cop investigating a robbery and discovering a meth lab doesn't just turn a blind eye to the huge drug bust because he was there looking for something else.

EDIT: to elaborate on my point, Richard Hatch from Survivor faced 13 years in jail and up to a $600k fine for not reporting the $1mil he won on the show as income. He ended up getting just over 4 years plus 3 years of supervised release. If you think not reporting $200k is small potatoes I strongly urge you to think again.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Even if the FBI isn't particularly interested in 50 or 60 K in unpaid taxes, the NCAA would be happy to do the leg work. They just need to piggyback the FBI's subpoena power.

I would bet dollars to donuts that if such a "bag man" exists and has come forward already, it's not because of some NCAA investigation where they have nothing to gain and everything to lose.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

And you think those two are mutually exclusive because............

If you take $200k and don't report it as income you get jail time. This isn't some laughing matter. People avoiding paying income tax is a big reason we have the national debt as high as we do. The point is if in digging around on their boosters information comes out about Cam Newton it is NOT going to be ignored. The same way a cop investigating a robbery and discovering a meth lab doesn't just turn a blind eye to the huge drug bust because he was there looking for something else.

Except that NCAA violations aren't criminal. I don't think the Feds can chase down trails that aren't clearly related to criminal behavior.

Could be that the best case scenario involves the Feds dinging his bag man for tax evasion, which makes the whole thing public record. I don't, however, think the Feds are actively investigating the pay-for-play thing; only insofar as it's incidental to tax evasion.

 

[Rocket89]

Wasn't the whole issue that a bunch of Auburn trustees were on the board of a bank that was really shady? Auburn has always paid players, and done stuff like that, but this was a large-scale financial disaster that involved Auburn guys like Lowder, politicians, and everything.

It's not the first time somebody mentioned it, but when (or if) the hammer comes down, it will make Auburn paying $200 K for Newton seem like nothing.

 

[IrishLax]

Except that NCAA violations aren't criminal. I don't think the Feds can chase down trails that aren't clearly related to criminal behavior.

Could be that the best case scenario involves the Feds dinging his bag man for tax evasion, which makes the whole thing public record. I don't, however, think the Feds are actively investigating the pay-for-play thing; only insofar as it's incidental to tax evasion.

In this case they are for the reason I pointed out and you're close to nailing. Bag man didn't commit tax evasion. The Newtons did. And it's not incidental... you can't give someone a $200k gift or payment without paying taxes on it. And you get SERIOUS jail time if you don't. As I showed with Richard Hatch, this is no slap on the wrist Cecil is looking at (because I'm sure Cam will continue to dodge this bullet...) if they ever pin down that he took $200k in cash.

 

[ndfi78]

And you think those two are mutually exclusive because............

If you take $200k and don't report it as income you get jail time. This isn't some laughing matter. People avoiding paying income tax is a big reason we have the national debt as high as we do. The point is if in digging around on their boosters information comes out about Cam Newton it is NOT going to be ignored. The same way a cop investigating a robbery and discovering a meth lab doesn't just turn a blind eye to the huge drug bust because he was there looking for something else.

EDIT: to elaborate on my point, Richard Hatch from Survivor faced 13 years in jail and up to a $600k fine for not reporting the $1mil he won on the show as income. He ended up getting just over 4 years plus 3 years of supervised release. If you think not reporting $200k is small potatoes I strongly urge you to think again.

Right, I think we are probably on the same page here but the Cam Newton thing is just incidental to the FBI. If something turns up that is great but all they are really worried about is the millions involved with the gambling/bank collapse scandel.

 

[johnnykillz]

But is the FBI looking for dirt on individual schools, or just on the BCS in general? That's the million dollar question.

I would venture to bet the 501(c)3 exemption of the church in regards to donation for taxation purposes.

The FBI may have tax exemption questions. Was it a donation to the church or the Newtons? Where's the claimed amount?

That's my guess, as to why they can excuse themselves to investigate with tax payer dollars...

 

[IrishLax]

Right, I think we are probably on the same page here but the Cam Newton thing is just incidental to the FBI. If something turns up that is great but all they are really worried about is the millions involved with the gambling/bank collapse scandel.

Right on.

 

[irish1958]

If it is income for the Newtons, they must pay taxes. If it is gift, the giver must file a tax form and so state and pay taxes. If it is a gift to the "Church" the church must report it as such and the giver must have a receipt or letter of acceptance.
If anybody looking into this mess has the ability to force testimony under oath, look out.
If Auburn or a booster suddenly, last year made a "gift " of 200or 300K to the "Church" there should be some evidence of it.

 

[crzychris]

The question then is who knew what on Auburn's side. That will determine how badly they will get slammed. Auburn is no O$U, the NCAA will throw the book at them.

 

[crzychris]

If it is income for the Newtons, they must pay taxes. If it is gift, the giver must file a tax form and so state and pay taxes. If it is a gift to the "Church" the church must report it as such and the giver must have a receipt or letter of acceptance.
If anybody looking into this mess has the ability to force testimony under oath, look out.
If Auburn or a booster suddenly, last year made a "gift " of 200or 300K to the "Church" there should be some evidence of it.

Well if they didn't report it on their tax form (which obviously Auburn didn't since this is all unknown), that's tax evasion on a large scale. At this point, this could blow up to beyond epic proportions.

 

[irishtrain]

I've been listening this week (as I live down here) and Sheridan says his contact will tell him who the bagman was and he will more than likely reveal it. It was just a matter of time and Danny Sheridan is no fool so this will be nasty. Now if Alabama can just get slapped the same way with the clothes deal then maybe college can get back to being colege again. I wish the NCAA would nail their @$#%$.

 

[FWIRISH]

A quick recap of the whole FBI thing. The FBI has been investigating a bribery and corruption case involving a casino bill. They are also pursuing a missappropriation of TARP funds issue. Two of the targets in the case, one an owner of a casino and the other a bank, are either Auburn boosters, on the Auburn Board of Trustees, or both. As a result, they were under electronic surveylance, wiretapped, during the whole Newton deal. It is my understanding that the FBI has tapes of conversations not only directly involving the Newtons but several other Auburn players. They have recordings describing who got how much and how they were paid. From what I read, they detailed which players were sent to said casino to innocently play rigged slots, and how much they were allowed to win. They also detail which players were given access to bogus debit accounts to withdraw sums of money without being traced. This bank recieved TARP funds. OOPS!!!!!!!!!!
The FBI will have to be finished with their investigation to part with the tapes and evidence.
The focus of the investigation was not Auburn football but a couple of wealthy sleazebags that just happen to be directly linked to the program.
This is my best effort to recall a rather lengthy and very detailer article I read last year.

 

[Cali_domer]

A quick recap of the whole FBI thing. The FBI has been investigating a bribery and corruption case involving a casino bill. They are also pursuing a missappropriation of TARP funds issue. Two of the targets in the case, one an owner of a casino and the other a bank, are either Auburn boosters, on the Auburn Board of Trustees, or both. As a result, they were under electronic surveylance, wiretapped, during the whole Newton deal. It is my understanding that the FBI has tapes of conversations not only directly involving the Newtons but several other Auburn players. They have recordings describing who got how much and how they were paid. From what I read, they detailed which players were sent to said casino to innocently play rigged slots, and how much they were allowed to win. They also detail which players were given access to bogus debit accounts to withdraw sums of money without being traced. This bank recieved TARP funds. OOPS!!!!!!!!!!
The FBI will have to be finished with their investigation to part with the tapes and evidence.
The focus of the investigation was not Auburn football but a couple of wealthy sleazebags that just happen to be directly linked to the program.
This is my best effort to recall a rather lengthy and very detailer article I read last year.

As the plains burn

As the Plains Burn-------(Updated 1-23-2011 pg. 925) @ TigerDroppings.com

 

[FWIRISH]

^^^ Right on Cali. Very interesting read. Takes a while but it is worth it.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Holy hell....my head hurts now. Good read though.

 

[BeauBenken]

As the plains burn

As the Plains Burn-------(Updated 1-23-2011 pg. 925) @ TigerDroppings.com

So. Much. Reading.

But a very very good read. Definitely showed me a lot more than what I knew previously though.

And to be honest, I skimmed the last third or so.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Time for the horse's mouth to put up or shut up I guess...

@DannySheridan1: "told name of person #NCAA feels allegedly paid Cecil Newton & where witness is. more on @finebaum this wk."

@DannySheridan1: "Will be on @finebaum Wed., Aug 17, 3 PM ET/2 PM CT."

 

[IrishLax]

I just hope he busts in the NFL too like Reggie Bush.

 

[Rocket89]

Isn't that from the same Twitter account that this guy said the same thing a couple weeks ago?

If all we keep hearing about Auburn is Cecil Newton got paid.....nothing is going to happen.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

"@McMurphyCBS: NCAA contacts Danny Sheridan"s lawyer. Sheridan to speak w/them about Cam Newton situation"

 

[Whiskeyjack]

"@McMurphyCBS: NCAA contacts Danny Sheridan"s lawyer. Sheridan to speak w/them about Cam Newton situation"

More detail on this can be found here.