Ex-Alabama Star to Plead Guilty in $20M NFL Loan Scam

A onetime standout on Nick Saban's first title team at Alabama is now poised to admit he ran an elaborate loan scam by allegedly posing as three current NFL players, reports the Guardian. Prosecutors say former defensive lineman Luther Davis and partner CJ Evins lined up at least 13 bogus loans worth nearly $20 million by pretending to be athletes seeking cash advances, often appearing at virtual closings in wigs and disguises. "Unbeknownst to the broker and the lender, none of the players who were supposedly receiving the loans attended any of these closings," prosecutors said.

A criminal information document filed in federal court in Georgia says the two allegedly stole the identities of Green Bay safety Xavier McKinney, Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku, and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., among others, to secure loans from sports-focused lenders including Aliya Sports and All Pro Capital Funding. The players are not accused of wrongdoing. Prosecutors say Davis and Evins created shell companies in the stars' names, fake email accounts, forged financial documents, and counterfeit driver's licenses, then had Davis show up on camera as the players. Both men have told the court they plan to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, with a plea hearing set for April 27.