You won’t believe the hoops drama that went down in Manhattan!
The Big Scam: Darden’s Courtroom Showdown
Picture this: Calvin Darden Jr., a Georgia businessman, found himself in hot water after a federal jury in Manhattan convicted him on multiple counts of fraud. The victims? None other than former NBA stars Dwight Howard and Chandler Parsons, who were swindled out of a whopping $8 million back in 2021. Talk about a fast break gone wrong! The trial wrapped up in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and it only took the jury five hours to slam dunk the verdict. Dwight even took the stand to testify against Darden. I think it’s safe to say that wasn’t the kind of assist he was hoping for.
Howard’s Dream Turned Nightmare
Dwight Howard, in a bid to snag the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, wired a cool $7 million to Darden. But instead of making a power move, Darden went on a spending spree that would make any baller blush. We’re talking a Lamborghini, a grand piano, some flashy watches, and even a $3.7 million crib in Atlanta. Oh, and let’s not forget the art collection. It’s like he was living in his own highlight reel, but without the actual highlights. Meanwhile, Chandler Parsons got duped into investing in what he thought was a promising career move for James Wiseman. Parsons didn’t show up in court, probably because he was too busy facepalming somewhere.
Sentencing and Future Trials: The Plot Thickens
So what’s next for Darden? Well, he’s got a date with destiny on January 27, when sentencing is set to go down. Until then, he’s out on bail with some serious internet restrictions. Maybe he’ll use the time to brush up on his court skillsโlegal court, that is. Prosecutors are gunning to reclaim assets, including that swanky Atlanta house. And if you’re thinking this sounds like a one-off, think again. Darden’s been in trouble before, and come 2025, Darryl Cohen, a former Morgan Stanley adviser, is heading to trial for allegedly scamming Jrue Holiday and others. Speaking of trades, did you catch that wild Curry rumor?
As we wait for Darden’s fate to be sealed, one can’t help but wonder: Will justice finally put a full-court press on these fraudsters, or will they keep slipping through the cracks like a bad defensive switch?
