A man in Georgia has been sentenced to 12 years in jail for scamming millions of dollars from potential basketball Hall of Famer Dwight Howard.
The Fraudulent Investment
Calvin Darden Jr. was convicted of multiple charges, including wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering, after he misled Howard into believing he was investing in the purchase of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. Howard testified in court that he had transferred $7 million to Darden, who falsely claimed to be an owner of the team.
Deceptive Practices with Other Players
In addition to Howard, Darden and a sports agent also conned former NBA player Chandler Parsons into sending $1 million. This money was supposedly aimed at aiding the development of James Wiseman, drafted second overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2020 NBA Draft. However, it was revealed that neither Darden nor the agent had any connection to Wiseman, who had not agreed to be represented by them.
Consequences of the Fraud
On Thursday, a federal judge in Manhattan ordered Darden to forfeit a total of $8 million along with various luxury items acquired through his fraudulent activities. These items included a $3.7 million mansion in Atlanta, $600,000 worth of artwork by Jean-Michel Basquiat, a Lamborghini, and a Rolls-Royce.
Previous Legal Issues
Darden’s legal troubles are not new; he had previously served a year in federal prison in New York for impersonating his father, Cal Darden, who was a former executive at United Parcel Service. This earlier offense involved a failed attempt to purchase Maxim magazine.
Background on the Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream, which was formerly co-owned by ex-Republican U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler, faced scrutiny and pressure to sell after conflict arose over her opposition to the league’s initiatives on racial justice.
Dwight Howard’s Career
Dwight Howard, who was the first pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, has had a notable career as an eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year. His experience in this case underscores the vulnerabilities that even high-profile athletes can face from fraudulent schemes.
The case highlights the importance of due diligence, especially for individuals in the public eye who may be targeted due to their financial resources.
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