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Agent Black is guilty, again

Conviction could add 25 years to prison term.

©Associated Press
February 1, 2002

GAINESVILLE -- Sports agent William "Tank" Black was convicted of federal fraud charges Thursday for swindling up to $14-million from the pro football players he represented.

A federal jury convicted Black of defrauding the federal government, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and obstruction of justice.

Black's co-defendant, Linda Wilson, was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and defrauding the government. Black hung his head and Wilson was teary-eyed after the verdict was read.

Black faces 25 years in prison when he is sentenced May 6. Wilson faces five years in prison.

Black's attorney, Jon Uman, vowed to appeal.

"I'm extremely disappointed," Uman said.

Prosecutor Jerry Sanford praised the jury and the law enforcement officers who investigated the case.

"It was a very rewarding verdict," Sanford said.

One of the officers who investigated the case, Darren Baxley of the University of Florida Police Department, was upset with remarks Uman made in his closing arguments Wednesday. The officer told Uman as they were leaving the courtroom, "If I wasn't a police officer, I would . . . kill you," according to witnesses.

Asked about the statement Thursday, Baxley said, "I thought his closing argument was unprofessional and off the mark."

Uman said he would consult his lawyer before deciding whether to take action, such as filing a complaint with Baxley's bosses.

In closing arguments, Sanford said Black abused his clients' trust and stole between $12-million and $14-million from them without remorse.

Sanford pointed to the NFL players who testified Black used his position as their agent to steal millions from them through bogus investments.

Last week, Jaguars running back Fred Taylor choked back tears as he testified he was swindled out of most of his $5-million signing bonus by Black.

"I trusted him with my life, with my daughter's life," Taylor said.

He said he would ask how his money was performing and would receive a sheet saying the funds had been reinvested. "It was make-believe," Taylor said.

Ike Hilliard, a Giants receiver, testified he was bilked out of as much as $2.5-million by Black, and former player Robert Brooks said he lost $2.5-million by investing in a bogus car-title loan company called Cash 4 Titles.

The Securities and Exchange Commission shut down the company in 1999, calling it an illegal pyramid scheme. By then, it was too late for Brooks.

"I gave Tank 30 days notice (to get me out of Cash 4 Titles), and two weeks later, he said some guys got arrested or whatever and I couldn't get my money," Brooks testified.

"They placed their trust with him and he betrayed every single one of them," Sanford said. "This man has no integrity, no honor, no respect, no remorse."

Uman argued his client never stole anything but was a victim of bad advice from his business lawyers.

Earlier Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Stephan P. Mickle dismissed charges against Black's secretary, Lisa Adams, saying prosecutors had failed to prove her guilt.

Last summer, Black was sentenced to six years, 10 months in federal prison for laundering $1.1-million for a drug ring in Detroit.

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