On the way out

Clarett charged; Ohio State, Tressel ready to cut ties

Maurice Clarett was initially relegated to Ohio State's scout team. AP

COLUMBUS (AP) -- Maurice Clarett was charged Tuesday with lying about items stolen from him out of a car, and Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said the school is ready to cut ties with the star running back.

Clarett was charged with misdemeanor falsification, city attorney spokesman Scott Varner said. If convicted, Clarett would face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Tressel said he does not expect Clarett to return this season to the defending national champion Buckeyes. He would recommend that Clarett be released from his scholarship if the request was made, the coach said.

Cleveland TV station WJW reported on Monday that Ohio State's internal investigation revealed thousands of dollars in extra benefits that Clarett received, and as a result the school would not seek his reinstatement by the NCAA.

The Columbus Dispatch reported Tuesday that Ohio State is ready to recommend Clarett's status be moved to "indefinite suspension," which would make Clarett ineligible to play for the foreseeable future. However, Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger would not confirm the report.

Alan C. Milstein, the Clarett family attorney, said he wasn't surprised by Tressel's comments or the misdemeanor charge.

"Nothing Ohio State does surprises me," he said. "I don't think the family recognizes what Ohio State's actions and motivations are, either."

Milstein declined to comment on whether Clarett would consider transferring.

Asked if Clarett had played his final game for the Buckeyes, Milstein said, "I think that's up to Ohio State."

Clarett has already been suspended indefinitely from the team, and probably will not play for the Buckeyes this season. He is also being investigated by the NCAA.

Clarett acknowledged earlier this summer that he filed an exaggerated theft report after his car was broken into in April. The car, a Chevrolet Monte Carlo, was borrowed from a local dealer.

The NCAA started looking into the report after Clarett stated he had lost more than $10,000 in items in the theft.

Clarett set Ohio State freshman records last season with 1,237 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, including the winning score in the Buckeyes' double-overtime victory over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.

Geiger said he wasn't surprised Clarett was charged.

The university does not have a set punishment for athletes charged with misdemeanors, Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger said. The charge will not factor into the length of a suspension the university will recommend to the NCAA, he said.

Clarett's mother, Michelle, did not return a phone message seeking comment on the charge. Former NFL star tailback Jim Brown, a family adviser, said he wasn't aware of the charge and declined comment on it or Tressel's statement.