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Kings' Webber indicted on charges of lying to grand jury

DETROIT -- Kings star Chris Webber was indicted Monday on charges he lied to a grand jury about his dealings with a University of Michigan booster more than a decade ago.

Webber, who led UM's "Fab Five" team to two NCAA title games, was charged with obstruction of justice and making a false declaration before a grand jury, FBI spokeswoman Dawn Clenney said.

Webber's father, Mayce, and his aunt, Charlene Johnson, were indicted on the same charges.

If convicted, each faces up to 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

The indictment contends the three lied to a grand jury and conspired to conceal cash, checks, clothing, jewelry and other benefits that booster Ed Martin gave the player and his family from 1988-93. All three testified in 2000.

The Kings and a league spokesman each refused to comment. Messages seeking comment from the elder Webber and Johnson were not returned.

NCAA spokesman Wally Renfro said the college governing body would not comment.

After Martin's indictment, Webber publicly denied taking significant amounts of money from him and said the government's charges were inaccurate. Martin pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to launder money.

Martin admitted he took gambling money, mixed it with earned income and money given to him from another person, then loaned it to at least four players while they were amateurs.

Martin said he paid $280,000 to Webber; $160,000 to Robert Traylor of the Hornets; $105,000 to Maurice Taylor of the Rockets; and $71,000 to Louis Bullock, who has been playing professionally in Europe.

Traylor and Bullock admitted receiving the money in testimony to the grand jury, their attorney, Steve Fishman, has said.

Former Michigan guard Jalen Rose of the Bulls said in May he took "pocket money" from Martin.

Webber, 29, a four-time All-Star, was the first pick in the 1993 draft and was rookie of the year with Golden State. He also played in Washington before being traded to the Kings.

Webber led Sacramento to the Western Conference final, where it was eliminated in Game 7 by the eventual champion Lakers.

Dele missing

Former player Bison Dele, a member of the Bulls' 1997 championship team who also played for the Magic, is among those missing at sea under "suspicious circumstances," his mother said.

Dele, formerly known as Brian Williams; his girlfriend, Serena Karlan; and a three-person crew have been missing since July 8 after setting sail to Honolulu from Tahiti, said Patricia Phillips, Dele's mother, and Scott Ohlgren, Karlan's stepfather.

Phillips said she became alarmed when Dele didn't respond to an e-mail telling him that her sister had died. The U.S. Coast Guard and Tahiti Search and Rescue began looking for the boat Aug. 27.

Also, police in Phoenix have questioned Dele's brother, Miles, in connection with the attempted identity theft of Brian Williams, Ohlgren and Phillips said.

Detective Tony Morales of the Phoenix Police Department said someone using Brian Williams's identity tried to buy "a substantial amount" of gold from a dealer.

When asked if the cases were related, Morales said, "because of the circumstances it's a concern."

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