Trainer Sentenced in Wide NCAA Point-Shaving Scheme
The six-year sentence is the first penalty in a federal case that exposed recruiters, professional bettors and dozens of fixed college games, signaling more pleas and trials ahead.
Overview
- A federal judge gave Jalen Smith six years in prison after he pleaded guilty to bribery, wire fraud and illegal gun possession for his role as a lead recruiter in the scheme.
- Prosecutors say the operation began in China before expanding to at least 17 U.S. universities and about 29 NCAA games, generating more than $3 million in illicit bets.
- Smith was ordered to pay $1.1 million in restitution and is accused of finding players, delivering cash payments of roughly $10,000 to $30,000 per game, and directing them by texts and FaceTime.
- More than two dozen people have been charged in the investigation, several defendants have pleaded guilty, and alleged masterminds such as Shane Hennen face imminent pleas or trial with a larger trial set for next year.
- Authorities say the case shows how the growth of legal sports betting and the low pay for some college athletes create targets for fixers and could push regulators and leagues to tighten monitoring and fraud controls.