Webber's father arraigned on federal charges

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Webber's father arraigned on federal charges

September 24, 2002 Print it


DETROIT -- The father of Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber was arraigned Tuesday on charges of lying to a grand jury about the player's dealings with a University of Michigan booster.

An innocent plea was entered on behalf of Mayce Webber Jr., who was indicted Sept. 9 along with his son. Also indicted that day was Charlene Johnson, Chris Webber's aunt.

A $10,000 bond was ordered for Mayce Webber, who did not speak in court on Tuesday.

All three defendants face the same two charges -- lying to a grand jury and obstructing justice. The maximum penalty on each charge is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

After the hearing, Webber and his attorney, Robert Morgan, declined to speak with the media.

According to the indictment, Mayce Webber lied to the grand jury on June 14, 2000, regarding the amount of money paid to him and his son by Michigan booster Ed Martin. On Aug. 2, 2000, Chris Webber and his aunt lied to the grand jury, the indictment alleges.

In May, Martin, a retired autoworker, testified that he gave Chris Webber -- whose full legal name is Mayce Edward Christopher Webber III -- about $280,000 in cash and gifts and that he paid for other college expenses.

Martin pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to launder money, admitting he took gambling money, combined it with other funds and lent it to Webber and other players while they were still amateurs. Martin is to be sentenced Oct. 8.

Chris Webber was a member of the "Fab Five" in the early 1990s, when the Wolverines went to two NCAA title games.

The 29-year-old forward is starting the second year of a seven-year, $123 million contract with Sacramento.

Copyright 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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