How the mighty have fallen, part XVII.

[Shockeye]

Former Buckeyes star accused of robbing couple
January 1, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Former Ohio State University running back Maurice Clarett was accused of using a gun to rob two people in an alley behind a bar early Sunday, police said.

Clarett, 22, who helped the Buckeyes win the national championship in 2002, fled when the bar owner or manager, who knew Clarett and the victims, came into the alley and identified him shortly before 2 a.m.

According to police, Clarett left the scene in a white sport utility vehicle with two other men and got only a cell phone from his alleged victims, who weren't injured. He was wanted on two counts of suspicion of aggravated robbery.

Clarett sat out the 2003 season after he was charged with misdemeanor falsification for filing a police report claiming that more than $10,000 in clothing, CDs, cash and stereo equipment was stolen from a car he borrowed from a local dealership. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

Ohio State suspended Clarett for misleading investigators, and for receiving special benefits worth thousands of dollars from a family friend.

He later began an unsuccessful legal fight that went to the U.S. Supreme Court to be allowed in the NFL early. Clarett was chosen by the Denver Broncos in last year's draft, but the team cut him in August.

[WayAbvPar]

I will take worthless pieces of shit for $1000, Alex.

[UD_Delt]

I really really hate Claretty. The worst part is knowing he's friends with LeBron James an will probably find some way to drag LeBron down with him....

Ex-Buckeyes star Clarett appears in court on robbery charges
1/3/2006, 1:51 p.m. ET
By RUSTY MILLER
The Associated Press       

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Former Ohio State football star Maurice Clarett appeared in court Tuesday wearing handcuffs and jail-issue clothing when a judge set bond at $50,000 on charges that he robbed two people with a gun in an alley behind a bar.

Clarett, who helped the Buckeyes win the national championship in 2002, will have to post 10 percent of the amount of the bond set by Franklin County Municipal Judge Amy Salerno. He did not enter a plea and did not speak in court. His next hearing is Jan. 12.

"We are looking forward to investigating the allegations," Clarett's attorney, William Settina, said outside court after Clarett's appearance. "That's all I can say."
   
After spending the better part of two days wanted by police, Clarett turned himself in Monday night, right around the time the fourth-ranked Buckeyes were finishing up a 34-20 win over No. 5 Notre Dame in Tempe, Ariz., for their third Fiesta Bowl victory in four years.

Clarett, 22, was wanted since early Sunday, when police said he flashed a gun and demanded property from a man and a woman behind the Opium Lounge in downtown Columbus.

Police said he fled with two men in a sport utility vehicle after he was identified by the bar owner, who happened to come out into the alley. No one was injured, and only a cell phone was taken from the alleged victims, police said.

The two charges of aggravated robbery each carry a possible sentence of three to 10 years.

Clarett was suspended by Ohio State and the NCAA for the 2003 season after he was charged with lying to police about the value of items stolen from a car he borrowed. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

Ohio State suspended Clarett for misleading investigators, and for receiving special benefits worth thousands of dollars from a family friend.

Clarett also unsuccessfully challenged the NFL's requirement that players wait three years after high school before turning pro in a case that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. He was chosen by the Denver Broncos in last year's draft, but the team cut him in August.

Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said at a news conference the day before the Fiesta Bowl that he had recently spoken with Clarett about opportunities in the NFL Europe.

"Obviously, my reaction to that is it's sad," Tressel said Sunday, "because, as I said the last few times people have brought up the subject, my hope would be that he would have an opportunity to go over to NFL Europe and make a comeback."

Clarett rushed for 1,237 yards and scored 16 touchdowns as a freshman in 2002, but has found only hard times since helping the Buckeyes win the national title.

In an interview with ESPN The Magazine in November 2004, Clarett said coaches and boosters arranged for him to get passing grades, cars and thousands of dollars while at Ohio State. None of the allegations were verified and Clarett never responded to NCAA requests to be interviewed about them as part of its investigation into Ohio State's athletic program.