Former Auburn Basketball Player Indicted by Grand Jury for Point Shaving

by abournenesn

Jun 5, 2013

Varez WardA federal grand jury indicted ex-Auburn basketball player Varez Ward on charges that he conspired with gamblers to throw games during the 2011-12 NCAA basketball season.

According to a report from AL.com, the indictment, handed down by a grand jury last week and unsealed on Wednesday, charges Ward with two bribery-related counts.

According to the indictment, the charges are for “commerce to influence, in any way, by bribery a sporting contest, with knowledge that the purpose of such scheme was to influence by bribery that contest.”

The games in question are the Tigers’ Jan. 25, 2012 loss to Arkansas and their Feb. 7  loss to Alabama.

The FBI has been investigating the incidents since 2012 after some of Ward’s teammates reportedly told Auburn coach Tony Barbee that they suspected their teammate was shaving points. The university suspended Ward from the team on Feb. 25 of last year.

Last season Ward averaged 8.9 points and 3.8 assists per game for the Tigers prior to his suspension. He could face up to five years in prison if convicted and be fined as much as $250,000.

Photo via Twitter/@334HoodNews

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