Former Ohio State quarterback Art Schlichter should -- and most likely, will -- end up behind bars for soliciting over $1 million from multiple “investors” for his fraudulent ticket scam business. The Associated Press reports today that Schlichter is expected plead guilty Thursday to state theft charges and will also plead guilty in the near future to federal bank and wire fraud charges, as well as filing a false tax return.
Schlichter was arrested in February after he turned himself in to local authorities for his involvement in a cheap ticket scam that was actually used to fund his gambling addiction and to help pay off prior debts. Schlichter was charged with a first-degree felony over the scam.
“He represented that he had personal connections, through his history and association with the Ohio State University and the National Football League, that enabled him to get the tickets at such low prices,” said IRS criminal investigator Terrance Brown of Schlichter.
The plea agreements will allow Schlichter to leave custody for a short time and await sentencing under house arrest. He could face up to 18 years in federal and state prison.
