Tank Black Indicted

'Tank' Black Indicted

Agent accused of fraud, conspiracy, against former NFL clients

St. Petersburg, Florida, March 3, 2000 -- William "Tank" Black’s legal problems festered, as the embattled sports agent was indicted in Gainesville, Florida, on charges of defrauding several former NFL clients of millions of dollars since 1996.

The accusations are almost similar to those levied against Black in a civil suit filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. That complaint accused Black of defrauding athletes of $5 million. According to USA Today, a federal judge in Tampa issued a restraining order against Black, several employees of his Professional Management firm and a consulting affiliate he owns.

Black and four associates were charged with conspiracy to commit mail, wire and bank fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and criminal forfeiture and "face a maximum of" $750,000 in fines and 25 years in prison. Black was released on $1 million bond.

In the 20-count criminal indictment Black is accused of defrauding former clients such as Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor, Philadelphia wide receiver Ike Hilliard and Tampa Bay receivers Reidel Anthony and Jacquez Green of millions in various scams.

As if all this wasn't enough, Black remains under investigation by the state of Florida for illegal recruitment of four members of the 1998 University of Florida Gators football team. It is illegal in the state of Florida for an agent to have any dealings with a college athlete while he is still playing for his/her school. [for prior article, click here]

Black's legal problems have depleted his once-sizable group of athletes [for prior article, click here]. In the wake of the this indictment, Toronto Raptors' star Vince Carter "suspended his relationship" with Black, pending the outcome of this case.