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Danny Woodhead Among Four NFL Players Scammed

By George Stockburger

Dec 20, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) looks on prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) looks on prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL players continue to be scammed into fake investments

Professional athletes have unfortunately become major targets for people looking to make a buck. Less than a month after learning Denver Broncos quarterback Mark Sanchez was among a group of athletes allegedly defrauded, four additional NFL players are claiming fraud against a Ohio man.

According to Cleveland.com, a Ohio man is facing jail-time today after being charged with two counts of wire fraud and one count for money laundering, after creating a fake horse racing company and scamming his investors.

His victims include San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead, Denver Broncos wide receiver Jordan Norwood, and two retired players, Reggie Hodges and Chansi Stuckey.

The Justice Department laid out their findings following their lengthy investigation of 29-year-old Jonathan Pippin:

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"Pippin solicited investors to his company under false pretenses. He told potential investors that they were investing in a venture with a wealthy businessman and widely-known horse racing figure – identified in the charges only as M.R. – when in reality Pippin did not know M.R.Pippin falsely represented to investors that they would receive a percentage of the winnings of M.R.’s horses when he knew it was not true. He also told investors that he had stud rights to M.R.’s horses when he did not, according to the information.Pippin used the investors’ money to enrich himself and pay personal expenses, such as the purchase of a Cadillac Escalade, tickets to sporting events, gambling expenses, rent and expensive clothing, according to the information.Four investors lost a combined $308,305, according to the information."

NFL agent Howard Shatsky reacted passionately on social media after the news broke regarding the fraud, and warned players to surround themselves with the right people.

Pippen has pleaded guilty, and a plea agreement is to be expected, according to the Cleveland.com report.

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