Former Eagle Irving Fryar Indicted On Conspiracy Charges
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) --- Former NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver and Philadelphia Eagle Irving Fryar was indicted today on charges that he, along with his mother, conspired to steal more than $690,000.
Acting New Jersey Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced that Fryar, 51, and his mother Allene McGhee, 72, were indicted by a state grand jury on second-degree charges of conspiracy and theft by deception.
According to the Attorney General's office, Fryar and McGhee conspired to steal more than $690,000 by having McGhee fraudulently obtain five home equity loans on her home within a six-day period.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Financial and Computer Crimes Bureau.
The indictment alleges that Fryar and his mother used a single property, McGhee's home in Willingboro, N.J., as collateral for five different loans between Dec. 16 and Dec. 21, 2009.
Fryar and McGhee allegedly deceived five banks by applying for and closing on the loans within a short time period and failing to disclose the existence of additional loans.
"This is not a case in which Mr. Fryar and his mother simply omitted or misstated information on loan applications," said Hoffman. "This indictment alleges that they engaged in an elaborate criminal scheme that was designed to defraud these banks of hundreds of thousands of dollars."
Hoffman also said, "It is disappointing that someone with an illustrious career in professional sports who now is a minister and coach in the community is charged with this crime, but he must face justice like anyone else."
Fryar played for four NFL teams between 1984 and 2000, including the Philadelphia Eagles.
He is currently the pastor of a Burlington County church and has worked as the head coach of the Robbinsville High School varsity football team in Robbinsville, N.J.
The secretary to the Superintendent of Schools confirmed to Eyewitness News Wednesday that Fryar has been suspended from his coaching job without pay.
