Prosecutors revealed that Darden also collaborated with a sports agent to mislead Parsons, who enjoyed a nine-year NBA career, into sending $1 million that was supposedly meant to support the development of James Wiseman, an active NBA player.
The Associated Press reports, a businessman from Georgia was found guilty on Friday of defrauding former NBA star Dwight Howard out of millions in a fraudulent scheme aimed at acquiring the WNBA's Atlanta Dream.
The jury delivered its verdict against Calvin Darden Jr. on Friday afternoon following a trial held in New York City. Darden was also found guilty of deceiving former NBA player Chandler Parsons in a separate scam.
Howard, who was one of the most formidable centers in the NBA during his 18-year career, testified that Darden tricked him into investing $7 million under the pretense of purchasing the Dream. In truth, the team was acquired in 2021 by a three-member investor group that included former player Renee Montgomery.
According to KTLA news, when asked by a prosecutor if he received anything in return for his $7 million investment, Howard replied that he received “a slap in the face.”
Prosecutors revealed that Darden also collaborated with a sports agent to mislead Parsons, who enjoyed a nine-year NBA career, into sending $1 million that was supposedly meant to support the development of James Wiseman, an active NBA player.
Darden's conviction comes eight years after he was sentenced to a year in prison for impersonating his successful father in an unsuccessful attempt to purchase Maxim magazine. In that instance, he received a lighter sentence by cooperating with prosecutors against others involved in the case.
This time, however, Darden rejected two plea deals from the government and opted for a trial instead.
Prosecutors anticipate that he could receive a prison sentence ranging from 11 to 14 years when he is sentenced early next year.
Following the conviction, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Meade requested that Darden be taken into custody immediately, arguing that he had not changed since his previous case in 2016. However, Judge Vernon S. Broderick decided that Darden could remain free on bail for the time being.
Howard, an eight-time All-Star and three-time defensive player of the year, played for seven teams, most notably the Orlando Magic, who selected him first overall in the 2004 draft, and the Los Angeles Lakers, where he secured his only NBA championship during the pandemic-impacted 2019-20 season. Parsons had stints with Houston, Dallas, Memphis, and Atlanta.
The Atlanta Dream was co-owned by former Republican U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler, who faced pressure to sell after her disagreements with players regarding her stance on the league’s racial justice efforts. Dream players encouraged voters to support her Democratic challenger, now U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock.
During the closing arguments on Thursday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Thompson stated that the evidence against Darden for committing these crimes is irrefutable.
The prosecutor revealed that Darden had spent at least $6.1 million of the $7 million he received from Howard. His expenditures included $500,000 on two vehicles, $110,000 on a piano, $765,000 as a down payment on a $3.7 million house, $90,000 on luxury watches, and an additional half-million on home renovations, along with hundreds of thousands spent on art.
Prosecutors indicated their intention to seize all of Darden’s assets, which include his Atlanta residence, luxury cars, artwork, and jewelry.
Darden’s attorney argued that his client would not engage in further fraudulent activities and is essential to his family.
Cal Darden, Darden's father, previously held the position of senior vice president for operations at United Parcel Service Inc. in Atlanta and has served on the boards of numerous prominent companies. Darden's attorney, Xavier Donaldson, contended that his client did not impersonate his father in dealings with the athletes.
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