Former Toledo Football Player Admits to Gambling Scheme

((HT: WUPW-TV/Myfoxtoledo))

Adam Cuomo, a former football player at the University of Toledo, admitted to alleged point shaving according to an affidavit unsealed this week in U.S. District Court in Detroit.

In the criminal complaint, federal investigators allege the 31-year-old Cuomo, "conspired to carry into effect a scheme in commerce to influence in any way, by bribery a sporting contest with the knowledge that the purpose of such scheme was to influence by bribery that contest, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 224(a)."

The criminal complaint was filed August 11, 2008, and unsealed this week. The affidavit was filed five days after FOX Toledo News first uncovered that Sammy Villegas, a former Rockets basketball player, was charged in a point-shaving scheme.

Villegas will be sentenced June 18 in federal court in Detroit. Federal prosecutors charged Villegas of felony conspiracy to influence a sporting contest by bribery.

Former Rockets running back Harvey "Scooter" McDougle, had charged dropped on a similar gambling offense.

When contacted, University of Toledo spokesman Matt Lockwood had no comment on the latest allegations.

On Friday, Lawrence Burns, Vice President of External Affairs for the university, commented on the latest allegations.

"We are aware of the criminal complaint and if the allegations are proven to be true, they certainly do not fit within the university’s values system," Burns said. "We take this matter seriously, however, we also consider it past history. The UT Athletic program has a very bright future and we are moving forward."

According to the complaint, the FBI believed Cuomo ((pictured, thanks Toledo SID)), who wore No. 32 for the Rockets, was a go-between for UT players and "with a known individual who went by the name of 'Gary,' and with others known and unknown, to influence the outcome of University of Toledo men's basketball and football contests through bribery."
Records state "Gary," is from the Sterling Heights, Michigan, in northern Metro Detroit.

Cuomo, from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, was a student-athlete for the Rockets from 2001-04. He only had 24 yards on six carries during the 2003 football season, but federal investigators allege he was integral in assisting gamblers.

Cuomo played in three games in 2002 for UT - Aug. 29 against Cal Poly, Sept. 7 against Eastern Michigan, and Nov. 17 against Central Michigan, all wins. He rushed 17 times for 40 yards and had three receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown.

Federal agents believe the alleged point shaving scheme started around the fall semester of 2003.

The federal complaint mentions in addition to Cuomo, federal agents have interviewed three other unnamed former Toledo student-athletes. Two of the interviewed played football while the other person played men's basketball. They all admitted they had been involved in the alleged point shaving scandal with "Gary" and other unnamed people.

Federal agents believe the alleged point shaving scheme started around the fall semester of 2003. In the complaint, it says Cuomo met a coworker of "Gary's, who operated a cellular phone store in Toledo." In 2007, the FBI said in a statement that "Gary" and the cell phone store operator "regularly wagered on University of Toledo football and basketball games."

Additionally, the FBI said that Cuomo was introduced to "Gary," and the running back "introduced (the store operator) to other University of Toledo football and basketball players who gave him (the store operator) information to use in placing wagers on University of Toledo football and basketball games."

During a phone conversation on December 21, 2005, Cuomo "told 'Gary' that (Cuomo) was going to use a senior University of Toledo football player already participating in the point shaving scheme as an intermediary in an attempt to recruit a senior offensive lineman to help shave points in an upcoming football game by committing penalties during the game."
The Rockets defeated UTEP, 45-13, December 21, 2005, in the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala. - UT's only December football game.

No court date has been set. Federal authorities could issue an indictment in the coming month and start extradition proceedings.

The Cuomo complaint can be found by clicking in black...

OSG Sports Radio's Cory Kessler was out front on this story when it broke last year.
Here's the initial coverage from our end...