Gruzia man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for fraud of millions of dollars from potential Basketball Hall of Fame.
A three -time Dwight Howard defensive player testified in court that he had given Calvin Darden Jr. $ 7 million, thinking it’s an investment in a purchase Wnba -ov Atlanta dream.
Howard, an eightfold All-Star, then learned that Darden was not the owner of the team when ESPN reported that the team was selling a group of investors.
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Dwight Howard from Orlando Magic claims a call during the pre -season match against Miami Heat Amway Center on December 21, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Prosecutors said Darden and a sports agent also combined former Chandler Parson NBA NBA players in sending $ 1 million, which were supposed to help develop James Wiseman, who were made by the Golden State Warriors as the second overall selection of NBA Draft 2020.
But the two did not know Wiseman, and the player never agreed to represent the agent because they claimed Parsons. Wiseman last played for Indiana Pacers before trading at Toronto Raptors, who gave up him earlier this year.
On Thursday, the Manhattan Federal Court judge ordered Dardden to take away $ 8 million and several luxury items that he acquired with his poor winning profits, including $ 3.7 million atlanta Mansion, $ 600,000 of the artwork Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce.
Dwight Howard of Los Angeles Lakers heats up on the eve of the match against Toronto Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena on March 18, 2022. (Cole Burson/Getty Images)
Darden was condemned in October from wire frauds, fraud in banks and money laundering.
He was previously sentenced to a year at a New York federal prison for false father Cal Darden, a former Atlanta CEO based in Atlanta, in an unsuccessful attempt to buy Maxig magazine.
Dwight Howard of Los Angeles Lakers during the match against Orlando Magic on January 21, 2022 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. (Gary Bassing/Nbae via Getty Images)
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Dream Atlanta is once the co -ownership of former Republican American senator Kelly Loeffler, but under pressure is to sell after conflict with players for opposition to initiatives for racial justice of the league.
Howard was the first choice of NBA draft 2004 Orlando magic.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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