Report: Players Accused By Shapiro To Get Subpoenas
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – While the University of Miami is trying to turn its attention to next Monday's game at Maryland; the current and former players named in the Nevin Shapiro scandal will soon be receiving subpoenas.
According to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald, the attorney for Shapiro bankruptcy trustee Joel Tabas will be issuing subpoenas to the 72 players named by Shapiro as having received cash, gifts, meals, or other benefits from Shapiro.
"They can't ignore it – it's a subpoena issued by a bankruptcy court," Gary Freedman told the Herald. "If they ignore it, we will seek an order from the court to compel them to respond."
According to the Herald, if the subpoena is ignored, the bankruptcy judge can financially penalize or have the person brought into court by force. Freedman told the Herald he doesn't expect the judge to take someone into custody.
Freedman said the players will first receive a letter explaining the situation and a subpoena requesting documentation of any gifts or benefits they received. He told the Herald that the bankruptcy trustee can request athletes give depositions and can file lawsuits against them.
Freedman told the Herald that none of the 72 players alleged to have received improper benefits have contacted him to return any money.
"Our records reflect what Shapiro has indicated to Yahoo! I have no reason to doubt what Nevin has been saying," Freedman said, "We have done our due diligence."
Former Hurricane, and current New England Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork was alleged to have received two $50,000 Cadillac Escalades. Freedman said "there is authority to the claim on Vince Wilfork."
For his part, Wilfork has refused to comment on the situation, but has never outright denied Shapiro's claims.
If the trustees uncover more information through subpoenas, it will only further damage the University of Miami's case before the NCAA. It will be especially damning if the trustee gets money back from former assistant coach Clint Hurtt. A coach being involved with the booster could magnify UM's penalties.
(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Miami Herald contributed to this report.)
