Calvin Darden Jr. was found guilty by a New York jury of defrauding NBA star players, facing five charges including fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy. He defrauded "Superman" Dwight Howard of $7 million, claiming it was for an investment in the Atlanta Dream team, which had actually been acquired by others. Additionally, Darden was involved in another case, defrauding former NBA player Chandler Parsons of $1 million. Ultimately, Darden was sentenced to 151 months in prison and ordered to forfeit $8 million in illegal proceeds and luxury goods.
Calvin Darden Jr. was found guilty by a jury in New York on charges including fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and two counts of conspiracy, totaling five charges.
Former NBA star Howard, who played basketball in Taiwan and is well-known, revealed on a program that he was scammed out of $7 million (approximately NT$230 million) by a businessman from Georgia. According to reports, this businessman will serve 151 months (12 years and 7 months) in federal prison.
Howard testified in court that he had invested $7 million in Calvin Darden to purchase the WNBA's Atlanta Dream team, but it was actually a scam. He later learned that the team had already been acquired by other investors, and he had not become the true owner of the team.
Prosecutors pointed out that Calvin Darden was also involved in another fraud case, colluding with an agent to defraud former NBA player Parsons of $1 million, claiming that the funds would be used to develop 2020 Warriors draft pick Wiseman.
Ultimately, the Manhattan federal court ruled to seize Calvin Darden's illegal profits of $8 million and other fraudulent proceeds used to purchase luxury items, including a $3.7 million Atlanta mansion, a $600,000 Basquiat painting, a Lamborghini, and a Rolls Royce.
Calvin Darden was sentenced for wire fraud, financial fraud, and money laundering to 151 months. However, this is not his first crime; he had previously impersonated a media mogul to attempt to acquire Maxim magazine in his father's name and ultimately served 1 year in a New York federal prison for fraud.
