The NCAA said Wednesday it has been investigating the relationship between a convicted Ponzi schemer Nevin Shapiro and the University of Miami for five months.
NCAA investigators visited the University of Miami campus Monday looking into claims by Hurricanes’ booster Nevin Shapiro that more than a dozen former or current football players received gifts and services from the convicted Ponzi schemer and convicted felon. Shapiro allegedly provided cash, goods, bounties for injuring opposing players, prostitutes, assorted favors and on one occasion, an abortion a woman that was impregnated by a University of Miami football player, and even purchased a yacht on which sex parties with prostitutes were held.
Shapiro’s relationship with the Hurricanes’ program dates back about a decade, with some of the alleged incidents allegedly occurring in the past four years — within the NCAA’s statute of limitations regarding violations.
Nevin Shapiro, 42, was sentenced in June by a New Jersey federal judge to 20 years in prison for his role in an investment fraud scheme involving $930. He pleaded guilty to charges related to running a multistate Ponzi scheme that prosecutors say left more than 60 investors in Florida, Indiana and New Jersey with nearly $100 million in losses.
Shapiro is currently serving time at United States Penitentiary, Atlanta (inmate #61311-050) at the same prison as Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff.