Ex-Auburn basketball assistant coach Chuck Person has reportedly agreed to plead guilty to a bribery-related charge in connection to the unfolding scandal in NCAA basketball, according to ESPN.
A hearing to formally announce the plea is set for Tuesday in New York.
Person was accused of accepting bribes in an attempt to sway players toward certain managers and financial advisers when they turned pro. Former financial adviser Louis Martin Blazer III, who was acting as an FBI cooperating witness, reportedly offered Person bribes of at least $91,500 for his agreement to participate in the scheme. Person had previously entered not guilty pleas to six felony charges related to the case, including bribery, solicitation of bribes, wire fraud and travel act conspiracy.
Person is reportedly pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge, and as a result is likely to receive a sentence similar to those other assistant coaches were recently handed in a separate criminal corruption case.
A co-defendant in the case, ex-NBA referee Rashan Michel, is still scheduled to face trial in June. Michel is reportedly the person who connected Blazer and Person, and is accused of accepting thousands of dollars for making that introduction, as well as introducing Blazer to other coaches.
