Cuomo, Broussard plead not guility

DETROIT (AP) - A not-guilty plea has been entered on behalf of a former University of Toledo football player who is accused of a key role in a point-shaving scheme.

Adam Cuomo of Hagersville, Ontario, was released after a brief appearance Wednesday in federal court in Detroit. Another former player, Quinton Broussard of Carrollton, Texas, also was arraigned on the same conspiracy charge.

Cuomo is charged with conspiring with two Detroit-area gamblers to influence the results of Toledo football and basketball games, from late 2004 through 2006.

He was a reserve running back with the Rockets. The FBI says Cuomo made incriminating statements during an interview in December 2006, declaring he started the point-shaving scheme with Ghazi "Gary" Manni of Sterling Heights.

Another football player was also supposed to be in court, but Harvey "Scooter" McDougle's appearance was delayed until Friday.

Also charged in the scheme are basketball players Anton Currie and Kashif Payne, who also have pleaded not guilty.

Former basketball player Keith Triplet has also been charged but has yet to make an appearance in federal court in Detroit.

Former basketball player Sammy Villegas, who is allegedly involved in the point-shaving scheme, will be sentenced June 18 in Detroit. Federal prosecutors charged Villegas of felony conspiracy to influence a sporting contest by bribery.

If convicted, the student-athletes could each face up to five years behind bars and $250,000 in fines. Manni, Karam and Valdez could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for wire fraud.