Two former University of Toledo football players charged in a point-shaving scheme were arraigned in federal court Wednesday, including an ex-running back from Canada who is described as a key contact for Detroit-area gamblers.
Not guilty pleas were entered on behalf of Adam Cuomo of Hagersville, Ontario, and Quinton Broussard of Carrollton, Texas.
The FBI says Cuomo, 31, incriminated himself during an interview in December 2006. Authorities also have recordings of phone calls between him and Ghazi "Gary" Manni of Sterling Heights. In December 2005, the talk turned to how a reluctant basketball player had agreed to shave points. "Cuomo responded by saying that money will overcome all," FBI agent Stephen Ferrari said in a court document unsealed last month. Cuomo is charged with conspiring with Manni, Mitchell "Ed" Karam and others to fix the results of Toledo football and basketball games, from late 2004 through 2006. He met Manni through the owner of a phone shop in Toledo, Ohio, the FBI says. |
