April 1, 2007
Bigger fish coming in the Toledo sting?
Fifth-year senior RB Harvey "Scooter" McDougle Jr. of the Toledo Rockets has been charged with game fixing on Toledo football and basketball games. According to The Detroit News, the FBI and the US Attorney's Office have evidence of McDougle fixing games for "professional gambler" Gary Manniof Sterling Heights.
The complaint, made public Friday, says Gary, McDougle and others bribed Toledo athletes to influence the final scores of specific games so Gary and the others could place winning bets with illegal sports bookmakers.There was no indication in the complaint that players purposely lost any games, but that they controlled the final scores to enable Gary to win his bets against the point spreads.
One player was offered $10,000 to sit out a football game, the complaint said. McDougle told the FBI that he received a car, telephone and other things of value from Gary, but insisted that he never changed the way he played to affect the outcome of games, the complaint said.
McDougle, the only player charged in the case, has been suspended from the team and now faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine upon conviction.
After evaluating players, Gary would invite some of them to participate in a point-shaving scheme which allowed gamblers such as Gary to make money by having influence on the outcomes."For example, if they (Toledo) were picked to lose by two points, Gary would tell the players to lose by three or more points and bet accordingly," the affidavit says. "If they were picked to win by 10 points, Gary would tell the players to win by only nine points or less."
A tap on his phone intercepted Gary in November 2005 telling a member of the Rockets basketball team that McDougle had taken care of certain players on the team who would be helping Gary fix a game that day, the affidavit says.
But... something's not right here. If McDougle was truly fixing football and basketball games, why was he the only one charged? Since his injury a few years ago, McDougle was hanging around as the 3rd or 4th string running back - so he wasn't the one actually fixing the games, right? And he didn't even play basketball, so he wasn't fixing those games. It doesn't add up that McDougle would be the only one charged.
McDougle told the FBI that another Toledo football player had introduced him to Gary. McDougle said he provided Gary with information about Toledo games so Gary could bet on them, Max said in the affidavit. McDougle said he also was aware that Gary had offered other teammates up to $10,000 to sit out games. McDougle admitted introducing Gary to other players so Gary could recruit them for the scheme, the affidavit said.
So... are other players going to be charged in the case?
Could Bruce Gradkowski (now in the NFL) be a target - after all, he was the QB.
Is the NCAA going to get involved, and -- if so-- what penalties will Toledo face?
Point shaving by one player is a big story, but it's damn near impossible in a team sport (and totally impossible when that player doesn't play the sport!) Mark my words - there's more coming down the pike on this one.
Comments:
Diggs the Mountie said:
posted on April 3, 2007 12:26 AM — 68.48.90.248 — link — abuse?
Holy crap.......me and gatorhippy agree on something. I thought this time might not ever come?
5 years? 250,000? That's it? They should give everyone involved life in prison. I know all you bleeding hearts out there may think that's a little harsh? (I don't care though) If that would happen then I'd bet you'd most likely never hear about a story like this ever again. I'm gonna effin puke now.
posted on April 3, 2007 2:30 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
Holy crap.......me and gatorhippy agree on something. I thought this time might not ever come?
Sign of the apocalypse?? ;)
So Cal Athlete said:
posted on April 3, 2007 2:43 PM — 204.62.68.23 — link — abuse?
Kevin Donny, throwing out Names that have nothing to do with the issue... AGAIN.
Dude, try to maintain editorial integrity some time - how do you just throw Gradkowski's name out there ??? How about Finding Out about it first before you...... wait, what am I saying? This a sports blog/site, nevermind.
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And "they" worry about Las Vegas sports teams, Ha!
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Thats a fugked up situation... I hope the Toledo Program doesnt get killed for the actions of a few people... and I hope this doesnt go very deep.ejvogie said:
posted on April 3, 2007 3:49 PM — 205.132.76.4 — link — abuse?
The fotball coach here has been here his whole life, assisted for like 20 years. This is his dream job. He plays to win all the time, rarely punts the ball, lots of trick plays. I can't believe he'd be involved in this and F up his dream job. He may, however, need to keep a bit of a tighter rein on his players.
So Cal Athlete said:
posted on April 4, 2007 5:00 PM — 204.62.68.23 — link — abuse?
Lets note that it was a Las Vegas Sports Book official, Kenny White, that noticed an odd betting pattern involving Toledo back in 2004 & 2005, and HE notified the Nevada State Gaming Control Board, which drew the attention of the FBI. Las Vegas is regulating sh!t around here, literally & figuratively.
In 2004 Toledo finished 7-5-1 ATS (overall) so its not overt, to tell that anything was going on... the strangest game/result is probably the game against Cent Michigan. Toledo was Favored by 24 and only won the game by 5 (27-22) -- C Mich, easily covering the Spread.
Also in their Bowl game, McDougle had Zero carries, UConn beat Toledo 39-10... Toledo was favored by 3.5In 2005 (reg season), Toledo lost 5 of the last 6 games Against the Spread (4-7 ATS overall, based on my one source) and I believe that this guy McDougle was injured/out for the season (ACL) if Im not mistaken. So if there was any point-shaving, then its likely that there WERE other involved, still I hate to throw out names without proof.
.strange stuff.
GetSomeSense said:
posted on April 5, 2007 8:55 AM — 72.240.249.127 — link — abuse?
The only thing the stinks like fish is this blog. Mark your words??? Dude, the complaint states that there were other players associated with McDougle in his relationship with Manni, so you aren't telling anybody anything. And you drop Bruce Gradkowski's name? What the hell's wrong with you? You don't know anything about Gradkowski, his background, or his character. Your writing is on the same level as McDougle's business practices. If you like to hear yourself talk buy a tape recorder.
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SEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on April 1, 2007 12:54 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?That story is disturbing and appalling.