What was thought to be a trial for paying players in college basketball took a turn to college football Tuesday afternoon.
Marty Blazer, who was testifying for the government, made a shocking claim: He reportedly said that he had paid college football players from 2000-13. The players were from Penn State, Pitt, Notre Dame, Michigan, Alabama and North Carolina.
Dan Wetzle from Yahoo Sports has documented the testimony via his Twitter account.
Blazer offered no specifics or names. He was busted for securities fraud and other crimes and became an informant for government that sparked college hoops fraud case. He'll be back on stand tomorrow.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) April 23, 2019According to collegefootballtalk.com:
Marty Blazer, a Pittsburgh financial advisor-turned government informant after pleading guilty to securities fraud charges, took the witness stand Tuesday in the college basketball fraud trial and levied some potentially explosive allegations. As part of his testimony, Blazer alleged that, between 2000-14, he paid football players from, among others, Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State and Pitt.
The player in question from Penn State is Aaron Maybin according to Matt Norlander from CBSSports.com. Other players were not named.
Blazer testified that — at the encouragement of an unnamed Penn State assistant — he paid $10,000 by check to the father of then-Penn State player Aaron Maybin to convince him to stay in school.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 23, 2019The testimony comes as part of a series of trials and hearings regarding alleged corruption in NCAA basketball.
This is a developing story. Blazer is expected to return to the stand Wednesday.
