Former Miami Heat players Mike Miller, James Jones and Rashard Lewis have all fell victim to financial fraud.
The government alleges that Haider Zafar defrauded players Mike Miller, James Jones and Rashard Lewis in 2013 by promising to invest $7.5 million in various business opportunities. Instead, prosecutors say, Zafar kept the money and used some of it to buy a $1 million, three-season Heat ticket package.
Zafar pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud Thursday in federal court in Columbus, where the Florida case was combined with a previous fraud case against Zafar.
Defense attorney Sam Shamansky says Zafar is interested in making parties in the case whole and accepting whatever punishment is appropriate.
Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for November.
Don’t always trust what you invest your money into.