TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) -Point-shaving allegations against a former University of Toledo basketball player are related to gambling charges filed last year against a former Toledo football player, an FBI spokeswoman said.
Sammy Villegas, a guard who finished his college career in 2006, is accused of shaving points in games during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons. The allegations by federal prosecutors became known last week.
Running back Harvey ``Scooter'' McDougle Jr. was charged in April 2007 with participating in a bribery scheme to influence sporting contests. A month later, those charges were dropped, but the investigation continued.
``The charges against Mr. Villegas are part of a larger investigation that encompasses Mr. McDougle, and that investigation is ongoing,'' said Sandra Berchtold, an FBI spokeswoman in Detroit.
Federal prosecutors filed a bill of information in U.S. District Court in Detroit on June 30 that also accused Villegas of paying another player who took part in the point-shaving ring.
McDougle's attorney, James Burdick, said this week that authorities haven't indicated that Villegas is connected with the charges against McDougle.
``I have not heard from anyone, the district attorney or the FBI, that there was anything new of relevance against my client,'' he said.
A university spokesman last week described the cases as isolated incidents.
