Federal prosecutors allege a former college football player concocted a scam to secure nearly $20 million in loans that involved dressing up and impersonating NFL players in a tale so odd it could be the plot of a bad movie.
Former Alabama defensive end Luther Davis allegedly used the identities of Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., free agent tight end David Njoku and Packers safety Xavier McKinney to fraudulently obtain loans from several lending agencies, ESPN reported.
Georgia business owner CJ Evins, who partnered with Davis, is also alleged to be involved in the scheme.
According to federal court documents viewed by ESPN, the two men allegedly ran the scam from May 2023 through October 2024. The NFL players had not authorized any of the loans, and the email addresses associated with them were set up without their knowledge.
The absurdity of the case comes in the fact that Davis is alleged to have shown up “dressed in disguise and impersonated the players” at the closing meetings for the loans, while also fabricating financial statements, Secretary of State documents, and bank statements for companies associated with the players.
In one instance on July 26, 2024, Davis allegedly went to a video conference set up by Sure Sports and All-Pro Capital Funding at a SpringHill Suites in Buford, Georgia, impersonating Penix.
He showed up to the meeting with a “durag-style head covering” and gave a fake Florida license in order to secure a $3.3 million promissory note from All-Pro Capital.
The court filings allege that there were at least 13 fake loans that totaled over $19.8 million, and lenders are said to have sent money by wire to accounts associated with fake companies that Davis and Evins set up, before moving the money to companies they do own.
Plea hearings in the case are slated for April 27. Evins was identified in a separate filing facing wire fraud and identity theft charges in the same case.
ESPN reported that Evins is planning on pleading guilty.
Davis was a member of the 2009 Alabama squad that captured the national title.
He appeared in 45 games over his four seasons with the Crimson Tide and recorded 47 tackles during his collegiate career.
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