Fines and Punishments
Four former University of Iowa athletes have pleaded guilty to underage gambling in an agreement with prosecutors in Iowa City. The charges come as part of a wider investigation into illegal sports wagering in the state.
Football players Arland Bruce IV, Reggie Bracey and Jack Johnson, as well as basketball player Ahron Ulis were originally charged with tampering with records to falsify information to register sports wagering accounts.
Tampering with records is classed as an aggravated misdemeanour in Iowa and is punishable by up to two years in prison.
Bruce and Bracy, both of whom were transferred to other schools at the end of the season, were also accused of wagering on Iwoa football and basketball games.
As part of a plea deal with the prosecution, all four of the athletes have pleaded guilty to underage gambling charges. Each of the athletes has been fined $645. As well as their criminal charges, the athletes have been hit with varying punishments from the NCAA.
An Ongoing Investigation
These latest charges are part of a wider investigation into betting behaviours at Iowa and Iowa State Universities. On September 6th, Iowa football player Aaron Blom, and baseball player Gehrig Christensen, as well as Iowa State football players Dodge Sauser, Hunter Dekkers and Jake Remsburg, all pleaded guilty to the same charges. They were handed the same punishments.
The investigation started in May, with court hearings beginning on August 1st. Since then, fifteen athletes have been charged, nine from Iowa State and six from Iowa. There have also been two staff members charged. Six more cases involving Iowa State athletes are ongoing, as well as cases against a student football manager and basketball manager.
The investigation found that the athletes had registered with DraftKings by using the names of other people. This allowed them to pass as 21 years old, the legal age of sports betting in Iowa. The prosecutors have given no indication as to what triggered the initial investigation.
The NCAA has handed out punishments that include suspensions and permanent ineligibility to the athletes involved. Several of the athletes have been removed from their team rosters, while others remain as part of the roster but have yet to make an appearance since the investigations started.
