A man in Georgia was sentenced to 12 years in prison for scaming millions of dollars from a potential basketball hall of Famer.
Three-time defensive player of the year Dwight Howard testified in court that he gave Calvin Darden Jr. 7 million dollars, believing it was an investment in the purchase of WNBA’s Atlanta dream.
Howard, an eight-time all-star, then learned the Darden was not an owner of the team when ESPN reported that the team was sold to an investor group.
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Dwight Howard from Orlando Magic argues a call during a preseason game against Miami Heat at Amway Center 21 December 2011 in Orlando, FLA. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Prosecutors said Darden and a sports agent also linked ex-NBA player Chandler Parsons to send $ 1 million to help with the development of James Wiseman, drafted by the Golden State Warriors as the second total election in the NBA draft in 2020.
But the two did not know Wiseman, and the player never agreed to be represented by the agent, as they claimed to Parsons. Wiseman last played for Indiana Pacers before being traded for Toronto Raptors, who waived him earlier this year.
A Federal Court judge from Manhattan on Thursday ordered the Darden to perish $ 8 million and several luxury articles he acquired with his poorly achieved winnings, including a $ 3.7 million Atlanta Palace, $ 600,000 in art by Jean-Michel Basquiat, a Lamborghini and a Rolls-Royce.
Dwight Howard from Los Angeles Lakers warms up in front of a game against Toronto Raptors in Scotiabank Arena March 18, 2022 in Toronto. (Cole Burston/Getty Images)
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The Darden was convicted by a jury in October for wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering.
He was previously sentenced to a year in federal prison in New York to emulate his father, Cal Darden, a former Atlanta-based United Parcel Service director in a failed attempt to buy Maxim magazine.
Dwight Howard from Los Angeles Lakers during a game against Orlando Magic 21 January 2022 at the Amway Center in Orlando, FLA. (Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Atlanta dream was once co-owned by former Republican US Senator Kelly Loeffler, but she was pressed to sell after colliding with players over her opposition to the league’s racial initiatives.
Howard was the first choice of the NBA draft in 2004 by Orlando Magic.
