Former Ohio State and NFL quarterback Art Schlichter said on Sunday night that he would "be happy to talk sometime, but this is not the right time" about his involvement in a criminal investigation.
Schlichter is being investigated for his role in a sports ticket scheme that allegedly bilked people out of millions of dollars, 10 Investigates' Paul Aker reported.
Schlichter, an admitted gambling addict who has served time in prison for fraud and forgery had his professional football career ruined by his gambling problem.
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In 2009, Schlichter wrote a book about his addiction that led him to swindle people and sent him to prison. Even before Busted: The Rise and Fall of Art Schlichter was released, alleged victims said that Schlichter was using the book to pull a new scheme.
"Mr. Schlichter was supposed to provide tickets and the rights to his book," said Kurt Gearhiser, an attorney for former businessman Stephen McCoy, Sr.
According to a promissory note signed before McCoy died, McCoy gave Schlichter $31,000 in exchange for promised season tickets for Ohio State's 2009 football season, Gearhiser alleged. He said that Schlichter also promised signed memorabilia and rights to the book.
"Steve would get off the phone and praise (Art), saying he's got his life back together now," Gearhiser said. "That went on for about six months."
According to Gearhiser, alarm bells sounded when a $6,000 check from a Schlichter family member bounced. Troubling as it was, Gearhiser told 10 Investigates that nobody panicked until they realized Schlichter was promising the same book deal with other people.
"I found out there were several people who were given the rights to that book deal," Gearhiser said. "I informed McCoy of that, indicating there's a problem here. Then I think Steve realized he was going to be in a long line of people suckered in by Art."
McCoy never filed a lawsuit or criminal charges, but others have, Aker reported.
10 Investigates discovered that two other people went to police in Schlichter's hometown of Washington Court House, Ohio, about his alleged ticket scheme.
Fayette County prosecutor David Bender said that since Schlichter finally paid the money back in those cases, he declined to pursue charges.
Bender said that he forwarded some complaints to Columbus area prosecutors who are also investigating.
Schlichter said that he could not talk at this time because of "lawyer's orders."
Franklin County prosecutor Ron O'Brien said last week he cannot comment on when or if he will charge Schlichter.
Multiple sources have said an announcement is likely to come soon.
Last week, 10 Investigates reported that Schlichter and Anita Barney, a Dublin woman whose husband was a co-founder of the Wendy's restaurant chain, allegedly promised sports fans hundreds of thousands of dollars in sporting tickets but never delivered.
At least six lawsuits were filed against Barney, 10 Investigates reported.
Those close to the investigation said that Barney took their money for tickets to various events, including the Ohio State-Michigan football game and last week's Super Bowl, but the tickets were never produced.
Barney's attorney said that she was conned by Schlichter.
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Stories:
February 4, 2011:
Ex-Buckeye Art Schlichter Probed In Alleged Sports Ticket Scheme
February 4, 2011:
Woman Accused Of Failing To Deliver Ohio State, Super Bowl Tickets
