Former AAU basketball coach Myron Piggie, who was charged in
federal court with a felony count of conspiracy fraud and a
misdemeanor count of failure to file income taxes, was sentenced to
37 months of jail without parole and a fine of $320,000 in
restitution.
Piggie was charged with paying money to former UCLA standout
JaRon Rush and his brother Kareem, who attends Missouri.
Under a plea bargain, 10 other charges were dropped that
involved intent to commit fraud against Corey Maggette and Andre
Williams. Piggie must pay a sum of $256,617 to UCLA, Missouri, Duke
and Oklahoma State, the NCAA and the Pembroke Hill high school, in
addition to $67,662 to the IRS.
“Rather than showing (the players) the right way,”
said U.S. District Judge Gary Fenner who heard the case,
“hard work, setting goals and developing their talent ““
(Piggie’s) example was one of greed and
opportunism.”
“I apologize to the kids who have to go through
this,” Piggie said during sentencing. “They know my
heart and I know their hearts. They know I didn’t
intentionally set out to hurt anyone.”
Brief compiled by AJ Cadman, Daily Bruin Senior Staff. The
Associated Press contributed to this report.