MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The details of the NCAA’s accusations against the University of Miami continue to trickle out with the latest report being the former booster Nevin Shapiro provided approximately $170,000 in impermissible benefits to UM athletes, recruits, coaches and other from 2002-2010.
According to the NCAA, Shapiro spent roughly half of the money, at least $90,000, to convince NFL players Vince Wilfork and Antrel Rolle to sign with a sports agency that Shapiro was working with at the time.
The Associated Press reported the allegations also included that Shapiro spent at least another $56,000 on “meals, entertainment, clothing, jewelry, travel, lodging, and cash” on players, recruits, and others.
The NCAA said Shapiro spent the $56,000 on 72 then-players, three recruits, and 12 friends and family members of those on the team or being recruited by the school. Almost all of the players listed as receiving a benefit from Shapiro left school years ago.
The numbers provided by the NCAA, according to the Associated Press, are noticeably lower than the amount Shapiro gave Yahoo! News in 2011 when he said he spent “millions of dollars” on benefits to the program.
The NCAA has previously said Shapiro also gave extra benefits in impermissible supplemental compensation to at least three former Miami assistant coaches in addition to travel benefits and other impermissible items.
Miami was given its notice of allegations after a two-year, bungled investigation by the NCAA which included the NCAA committing wrongdoing to try to secure information against the school.
Nevertheless, Miami was hit with a lack of institutional control charge for not monitoring Shapiro in addition to other allegations. Two former UM coaches named in the investigation have asked for their cases to be thrown out because of the NCAA’s issues during the probe.
The NCAA Committee on Infractions plans to hear the case in June if all parties will agree to the timeline.
Miami self-imposed tough sanctions including a two-year postseason ban and some scholarship reductions. Miami President Donna Shalala said on two occasions in the last week that she believes those punishments were enough.
Shapiro is serving a 20-year prison term for masterminding a nearly $1 billion Ponzi scheme that collapsed before he made his initial allegations in the Yahoo! Sports article.
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