As one might expect, former Ohio State quarterback/gambling fiend Art Schlichter was charged with a first-degree felony connected to over $1 million in theft to fund a ticket scam.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, Schlichter was charged yesterday morning and turned himself in to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office shortly thereafter.
Schlichter, who had been in jail 44 times already for fraud and forgery crimes related to his gambling addiction, spent the last two years soliciting over $1 million to fund a ticket sales scam that instead further fueled his addiction. The “investment opportunity” revolved around buying in demand tickets for events like the Super Bowl and selling them at an enormous profit.
His most affected victim was 68-year-old Anita Barney, the widow of former Wendy’s CEO and chairman Robert Barney. According to Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien, yesterday’s charge involved Schlichter’s connection and solicitation of funds from Barney.
If found guilty, Schlichter could face 10 years in jail and $20,000 in fines minimum. No additional charges have been made against Schlichter, but O’Brien says the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be added later.